Gary L. Ellis

Things have been going pretty well.  Your relationships have been by-in-large pretty good.  In fact, you feel positive about some fresh new steps in your walk with the Lord. 

Then {squish} eewwww…what was that I just stepped in?

Here’s a factoid…

Even the most powerful positive people have pukey periods in life.

I’ve been there, done that, and bought the silly T-shirt.  It’s common to life for everyone….absolutely everyone.

However, I’ve found one of the simplest responses with the most sure effect was discovered by King David a long time ago.

Psalm 42…especially read in “The Message” (in my opinion anyway) we discover, yet again, David’s roller coaster journey through life.

(Side Note):  Have you ever wondered why God chose the inspired Psalm writings of David to be a great song and prayer book?  Perhaps because David is so human…which encourages people like us in an understanding of real spiritual life?  Hmmm?

You know from the outset of this Psalm, David is clinging to the under belly of his emotions.  At one point early on he exclaims that he was on top of the mountain.

Then the dark side of life happens and David is on his back looking up.

But (and this is what I admire about David) he includes the solution.  In the middle of the emotional swamp, David says

vs. 5:  “Fix my eyes on God.  Soon I will be praising Him again.”

vs. 6: “I rehearse everything I know of You…”

Fix…fasten…superglue my eyes on God.  The truth of His life begins to replace the lies in mine.  But how do I do this “fixing of my eyes?”

Answer:  Verse 6:  “I rehearse everything I know of You.”   That’s how David learned to encourage himself in the Lord.  That’s the literal idea of what it means to rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice.

To rejoice isn’t simply another word for praise.  It means to re-joy oneself by rehearsing God’s previous acts of love, power, and kindness in one’s personal history.

Temptation and trial is common to life on planet earth.  Life will be very good (because of God’s goodness).  But, it will also occasionally suck BIG rocks.  In those time take David’s prescription (rewind to verses 5, 6)

Gary

Jesus made Himself accessible.  A lot of what sincere but “religion bound” Christians do is make it hard to connect with the Lord of Life.

Think about this for a minute:

In the Greek language there are two words used when translating the word, “bread.”  One of those words means, “unleavened – or – ritual” bread.  The other means, “common bread.” 

Today there’s all kinds of “common” breads on the store shelves…although each company wants you to believe their bread is better than common.  (Sorta like brands of religion, eh?)  At any rate, it’s the everyday bread we eat with our meals or as a sandwich.

When Jesus declared in John 6:35 that He was the “bread of life,” the word for bread was not the ritual or unleavened bread but the common bread.  In 1 Corinthians 11, the communion bread is….you’ve got it…the common bread.

The thing that struck me in a profound way as we observed The Lord’s Table, yesterday, at The Sanctuary Church was the fact that it’s Jesus’ deep desire that it not be hard to find Him.  He is the (common/accessible) Bread of Life.  He is not obscured in layers of religious ritual.  You might even be able to say that He’s hidden in plain sight.  (Lord give us eyes of simplicity to see).

Today…to you…to me…

“Come as you are to meet Jesus as He is.”

I believe that’s what the Holy Spirit is emphasizing in my heart for 2012.  Realize He is “easier” to find, and love, and walk with than we’ve known before.  And in that realization, help others make the same discovery!

Gary

Many people are under the mistaken assumption that the Old Testament God is an angry God.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Listen to Moses:

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, {7} maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin...”  Exodus 34:6-7

The Father reality of God is in need of great repair and restoration in the hearts and minds of many. 

Jesus told us, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” – John 14:9

A favorite quote of mine is this: 

“You can come home now.  Daddy’s not mad.”

In God’s design, it is the FATHER that establishes the sense of protection, provision, and personal identity in his children.  It has also been my experience that my own spiritual journey has become increasingly richer as my Heavenly Father relationship is ever deepening.

The roles of Jesus and Holy Spirit are equally important to the revelation, but a misunderstanding and therefore neglect of embracing our true Heavenly Father will bring us up short of a healthy and abundant Christian experience. 

In Hebrew thought, the word for father is like the center pole of the tent.  Everything else about the dwelling is built and supported around that.

We are encouraged to look unto Jesus.  He is the author and finisher of our faith.  Let’s also remember that it was Jesus Who said, “If you ask the Father in my name…”  

It was also the Apostle Paul who said, “I bow my knees before the Father…”

“Holy Spirit…we would see our true Heavenly Father.  Open the eyes of our hearts that we might know Him better.”

May I suggest that a good step in this direction is to also let your heart and mind release forgiveness for everything your earthly father may not have been.

Gary

Faith has concluded that man has been included in Christ.  How?  Unearned inheritance.  Roll that around in your heart and taste the savory flavor in your spirit.

Gary

A Facebook Friend, Karen Swank, posted this on her status yesterday.  It immediately struck me as a good followup to my last post, “False Assumptions Hinder Us.”

It’s pretty common for people to get discouraged by the twists and turns in life.  They feel like what appears as a detour to them is, somehow, a personal failure.

Although some miss steps (even big ones) are the result of something we could have and should have avoided – ie: we knew better at the time – a change of heart like the Prodigal Son’s will reap the same reward from our Heavenly Father.

But I’ve found that most “detours” are not the result of sinful attitudes or actions, but a lack of understanding.  In fact the truth is that many times we have the right goals in mind but aren’t “smart enough” to figure out all the right steps to get there. But God is, and according to Romans 8:28, “He can make all things work together for good…”

“Blessed is the man who enjoys the scenery along the detours.”

That is the slogan on a plaque that some of my Bible School students once got me.  For some reason, all those that know me know that I often like to take “bunny trails” while I’m teaching.

If you’re feeling depressed about the apparent twists and turns in your life, keep your heart fixed on your desire to walk rightly with the Lord…trust Him…and realize the path of probably all of the successful men and women you know have had a journey that looks like the pencil sketch in this post.

Gary

False assumptions hinder us from walking the life Christ provided and we desire.  One of those assumptions is that God expects us to trust Him enough to never be afraid.  Unfortunately, it’s too often been taught – or at least assumed – that the lack of fear proves the strength of our faith. 

Not true.  Not true at all.  False assumption based on faulty understanding.

One can no more control emotional responses than one can stop their knee from a reflex jerk when the doctor taps it.  The same is true with emotions.  Emotions are most often – if not always – reflexive responses.  God knows that.

So, what is He telling us when He says to not be afraid?

He is counseling us to act on the integrity of His word and character in spite of reflexive fear to circumstances.  “Fear not” is a command of action, not a negation of emotional response.

We will find ourselves in many situations that will trigger the emotion of fear.  Act on His Truth, anyway.  Ultimately His truth will set us free.  After all, the last chapter has already been written and we’ve won.  We experience that victory, personally, when we walk out His Word…afraid or not.

Gary

Maybe it’s not really a “secret” as such.  It may be more of a recurring experience that led me to a refreshing reality that seemed to do wonders against mental pressures.

We’ve been under the weight of a heat/humidity wave for the past two weeks.  In fact, it appears that it may not let up for several more days.  During this period, I’ve avoided mowing my lawn.  Unfortunately, the grass didn’t forget how to grow and I’ve been watching a “jungle” arise in what is normally a nice lawn.

I didn’t venture out to mow it with the excuse (a good one to my mind) that it was just too hot and humid.

With each passing day, the heat wasn’t abating and the weight on my mind was increasing.  Finally, early this morning, I decided to wade in and go on the attack with my trusty lawn mower.  It was already 86 degrees with a “reel feel” of 98.  I said to myself, “I’ll take it slow, stop often, and drink plenty of water.”

An hour later it was done.  No more jungle.  And, I was really no worse for the wear.  In fact, emotionally I felt great!  I even seemed to have gained physical energy.

The Practical Secret?

When a number of things build up.  When the pressure increases.  Attack something.  Accomplish something.  Move something forward by doing what you’ve been avoiding.  You see, God designed us to accomplish, conquer,produce, achieve positive movement.  In other words, “take dominion.”

So, today, dominate something positive in your life.  Take charge of something that’s been taking charge of you.  You may be surprised at how it feels like a breath of fresh air.  Your whole outlook may even be altered for the better.  

And one more thing.  As they say about potato chips, “You can’t eat just one.”  One task conquered often leads to another, and another.

Gary

Fears come in all sizes and shapes.  The fear of making a mistake is at the top of many people’s inability to move forward in their lives.

Nobody wants to be mistaken.  Especially if the subject is important to them.  But, the truth of the matter is this…

If you aren’t making any mistakes, you may not be taking the necessary chances that will break you out of the cycle of mediocrity or frustration.

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that the contents always lead to a spiritual application.  So, let me make a bold statement about spirituality and mistakes.

If one doesn’t make mistakes in their journey of Christian maturity, they aren’t growing.  You can accumulate “Christian information” and slip backwards on the path of maturity. 

What we call maturity only deepens through exercising and practicing what’s on the printed page, or favorite teachers CD or sermon.  To put the information into practice always demands the risk of failure.

In truth, a strong motivation behind the “fear of making a mistake” is actually the person not wanting to look bad, or be embarrassed.

Perhaps that admission in the form of repentance before the Lord is the most honest road to take.  But listen…

No one with a birth certificate on planet earth is going to be able to successfully navigate the road of righteousness without risking mistakes.  Fact is…you will make them.  Plenty of them.  You’ll learn from them.  You’ll get better…and better…and better.

And realize this.  Fear of making mistakes can only get a grip on you if your focus is on yourself and not the life and freedom of Christ within you.

The disciple Peter was a hot head, and a screw up on many occasions.  Seriously so.  He even denied knowing Jesus at one point.  But, he also had the kind of impulsiveness that got him over the edge of the boat.  None of the other disciples walked on the water.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t walk in wisdom.  But, what is often called wisdom is, in fact, a spiritual sounding term for walking in fear of making a mistake. 

Mistakes are not your enemy.  They actually can be your friends.

Gary

It’s Sunday, July 17, and the IA/IL Quad Cities is under an excessive heat warning.  This afternoon at 5:00pm I was involved in a cook out feeding of the homeless near downtown Davenport, IA.  Something amazing happened (as far as I’m concerned) while serving with Jesus, “The Master of the elements.”

The location of the cookout is on a concrete parking lot with no shade.  The excessive heat warning with high humidity was promising to be brutal.  So, I prayed (as I’m sure others were, as well).  Mind you, I could have taken a more common stance of “Que sera sera.”  (What will be will be).  However, I’m dissatisfied with living life at the whim of that kind of pessimism.  Something that others may call, “realism.”

However, the Bible gives clear examples of Jesus mastering the elements.  Since He and I are partners, I chose to take the “road less traveled” and take prayerful faith action.  Prayer about the elements.  To me this wasn’t a self centered, “Oh, please Jesus let me have a nice picnic.”  We were doing a work of righteousness and I considered addressing the elements as part of that work.

When I arrived, just before 5:00 pm, the sun was blazing and the air was oppressively calm.  Within minutes, I noticed a small cloud pass between us and the sun.  The intensity of the heat abated.  Immediately a breeze began to blow further adding to greater comfort.  The small cloud was followed by a thin layer of semi-transparent cloud cover.  That kept the sun’s intensity at bay.

As the last persons were finishing their food, the sky became bright blue. The intensity of the sun returned, and the breeze stopped.  Coincidence?
I think not!

We fed about 100 people, had the opportunity to pray with some, and overall we completed yet another work of righteousness with the Element Master along side (or vice versa).

With a legitimate cause, Jesus is truly the Master of the Elements.  Serving with Him is more than exciting, fulfilling, exhilarating, and downright “off the hook!”
Gary

I love the way the Lord can get messages to me through dreams.  I had one last night that encouraged me, and also has an encouraging message for you.

In the dream I owned a trained bulldog.  He/she was friendly and very disciplined.  I was demonstrating something my dog could do.  I pointed to a wristwatch that was laying on the floor in front of me.  When I told my dog to fetch it, he/she quickly went to the watch and picked it up.  I then said, “Bring it to me.”  Just as quickly my dog brought the watch back to me.

I asked the Lord to interpret the dream for me:  The wristwatch = my time.  My dog = trained perseverance.

My dog was trained and friendly.  One other thing to mention are the questions that have been on my mind of late.  Am I using it wisely and effectively?  May I be missing something that could reap even better results?  <An important question to ask ourselves in dream interpretation is, “What’s been on my mind?  What area has been a concern to me?>

In brief, the Lord was speaking to me through the symbols of dream language.  He was encouraging me that trained perseverance is my friend.  It will result in desired rewards.

The message is true for all of us.  You may be facing testing circumstances.  Training ourselves to rely on His Spirit (the Master trainer) to persevere in times of trial will bring Godly results. 

Don’t panic!  Persevere on the road of righteousness in Christ!  And, remember that perseverance isn’t the fruit of self effort, and self determination.  That’s what so many sincere people try to do.  The words, “I must try harder” is too often our response to struggle.  As Jesus said in John 15, “Without Me you can do nothing.”  Perseverance is a fruit of the Spirit.  It’s a result of His work in your life.  Sometimes, trials are His training camp.  It’s the only way He can build our “perseverance muscle.”

Don’t curse the trial.  Don’t try harder.  Say, “Jesus this is another opportunity for You and me to walk this thing out.  Guide me to your ways to respond.”

Perseverance is your friend!

Gary