By the time you get this I will have just finished a meeting at Gateway Church in Dallas, TX. This is my third year back at Gateway. This is such a wonderful group of people who are really putting these biblical principles for ministry to the heart into practice. It is so rare to see a church this size that is actually open to grow, develop, and seek ways to effectively minister to their people. I consider it a privilege to be invited back.
The last several meetings I‘ve had have been some of the most productive I’ve seen in years. Don’t get me wrong, we always have good meetings and there are always great results in the lives of the people who participate. But it seems that something has changed. People are open, they are no longer argumentative, and they don’t resist the truth they need to set them free!
Earlier this month I was in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada with Bob & Audrey Meisner. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a weekend this much. The group that put the meeting together is the ideal situation. They use our weekly CyberChurch broadcast to minister to their own group; then they find innovative ways to reach out into the business community.
For the meeting they rented a Community Theater. The first night was standing room only. But the most exciting part is that about 1/3 of the people were not believers. They were business people, peripheral Christians, and New Agers. The message was well received, people were encouraged, and the Gospel was heard and received. I am so excited about the number of people who have i-Groups or some version. I really want this message multiplied through you to your family and community… to the people I will never be able to reach!
As you know, I’ve been learning and renewing many life lessons as I train and interact with my puppy. This morning I had an experience that I want to pass on to you. Hooch is only 7 months old, weighs about 65-70 pounds, is still very much a puppy, and wants to be a lap dog! Last night Brenda and I ate out on our back patio. He patiently and politely lay away from the table until we were finished, then he picked up a toy and literally climbed into Brenda’s lap. It was such a funny and heartwarming sight. It seems that every day he reminds us of the simplicity of loving and enjoying the moment we are presently experiencing!
But this morning was interesting. I got up at 6:30, took him outside to play, and then made his breakfast, which is my daily routine. Then Brenda, Summer, and the grandbaby came outside and we spent some time together. Since I knew I had work to be done before I left for my trip I went upstairs at about 9 to take a power nap. (I am the master at power naps. It is one of the ways I keep going for such long periods of time. The key is never nap for more than 20 minutes. I usually nap 3-5 minutes.) Anyway, someone left the downstairs gate open and the next thing I realize is Hooch has run upstairs and jumped straight into bed with me. He acted like he had not seen me in years. All he wanted to do was curl up beside me.
As I lay there petting him before getting up, I was thanking God for the joy Hooch brings to my life. It was so tender to think that the pet you just left downstairs could be so excited to see you just minutes later. Then I heard the Lord speak in my heart. He said, “That’s the way I am every time one of my children responds to Me or seeks for Me.” We forget that the Bible says God rejoices over us with singing (Zeph. 3:17)!
I used to ask people in my conferences, “If you went away on a job and had to work long hours, had no way to call home, and could not talk to your loved one for weeks, then when you finally got the chance to go home and see them, what would you feel?” The answer was always overwhelmingly positive. “I would be so happy! I would feel so loved. My heart would finally be back at peace!” Then I would ask the questions, “What if you took that same job and you went weeks without having any prayer time, and you finally got a chance to connect with God what would you feel?” Most people said, “Guilt, fear, uneasiness,” or something negative!
Then I would point out that we really don’t believe God loves us with a perfect love. We think our spouse’s love is more reliable than God’s. I love the way the Living Bible says this in 1 John 4:18-19, We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us. If we don’t believe the love God has for us, then it limits our ability to love Him. Then the very next verse says, So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first. God is like my puppy; every time He has the opportunity to interact with you it is an incredibly joyful celebration. He’s always glad to see you! It doesn’t matter how long it’s been or why you were absent! He rejoices over you.
In this weird “grace” doctrine that floats around, most of those people have no prayer life and in an attempt to justify themselves they make believers feel there is no reason to pray. That’s like saying there is no reason to kiss the person you love. It doesn’t have to be formal, but it does have to be real and honest. Enjoy your connection with God. Never miss an opportunity to acknowledge His goodness. As Paul said, In everything give thanks!
I hope you have enjoyed my latest series, Experiencing the Voice of God. It will help you make and keep the connection alive! Remember you can now get our broadcast on Vimeo, Apple TV, Roku, Facebook, YouTube, and our website. And they are left up for weeks so you can watch them over and over or catch up on the ones you miss and, most importantly, share them with your friends. This is such an incredible way to minister to others. When you don’t know what to say to someone send them a link to a message that will help and encourage them.
I hope to see you at World Changers Weekend, July 19-21 in Huntsville! If you can’t come we are planning on streaming the entire event. This is for you and we don’t want you to miss one minute of it. If I don’t see you in Huntsville maybe I will see you in one of my meetings across North America. Thank you for helping me change the way the world sees God! Remember, the Bible teaches us that everything will change when people see Him as He is!
Abundant Blessings,
