No Fear

That is my youngest son Cecil Chase there by the horse. He has been around them since he was born and on their back by 18 months old. He will walk out into the pasture and grab them by the halter and start leading them around. We are thankful that we have well behaved horses and attempt to dissuade him from doing this because he has so little fear of them. It is not that we want him to be afraid of them but we want him to have a respect for them because of what they can do to him.

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

When we refuse to put Christ in His proper place in our hearts and lives we risk putting ourselves into harms way. It is hard for us here in the states to understand what it is like to have an ultimate authority in our lives so we tend to not esteem those in authority over us especially when it comes to God. We have become so focused on our own rights that we forget that we were bought and paid for by the precious blood of the lamb.

The reverential fear is basically esteeming the sacrifice that was made on our behalf causing us to ensure that whatever we do we do to honor and glorify Him. We do not dare act or behave in a manner that would be displeasing to our Lord and King regardless of whether or not anyone can see us doing these things. The reason being is because we belong to the King; we are His property. Since we were bought and paid for He saw it fitting to make us heirs with Christ thus making us not mere subjects but royalty. You see if we were to esteem this position that we were given then it would cause us to act a little differently. Perhaps it would cause us to love others a little bit more after all they do not have what we have and even if they are part of the family it should cause us to love them all the more.

Tertullian in his 2nd century defense of Christianity wrote about how Christian love attracted pagan notice. In it he states; “What makes us in the eyes of our enemies is our loving kindness: ‘Only look,’ they say, ‘look at how they love one another.’ (Apology 59)

You can rest assured that this is probably no longer the case in most churches or of most Christians and it has to break the heart of Christ. We are no longer the loving people we once were and in fact we are so wrapped up in self and the wants of the world that we are no different than Chase there walking out into the field among those horses without any fear. It is true that he might not get hurt but sooner or later something will happen. Something could spook the horse at the wrong moment and and he could get trampled or worse; killed.

God could allow you to go through your little escapade with the world and apart from loosing His blessings nothing else major seems to happen but consider all those who you affect with your little adventure. It could be your kids or another family member; it could be your neighbor or coworker. The one thing that you can be assured of is that it is going to affect someone. Someone will turn their back on God because of you; because of your lack of reverential fear of an Almighty God and your lack of gratitude for the blood that was shed on Calvary's tree.

You see even if Chase does not get hurt out there what do you think would happen to another kid who has never been around horses and sees him doing what he does and decides to try it himself? Think about it.

Little Things

We often over look the little things in life, especially when we are young but the older we get the more important these things become; well in my case I find it to be true.

It amazes me the little details that I now remember of my youth that no one else in my family remembers, like my youngest brother getting up early and making a whole batch of pancakes just for himself or the behavior of a certain horse. To them these things were not that important so they have over the years simply put them out of their mind. Of course they all remember the major things like someone putting a garden snake in my sister's bed but no one has ever claimed responsibility for that one. I know that I didn't do it so it had to be one of my younger brothers.

There are times however that I wonder if these things really happened or were they simply a dream but the moment all the pieces begin coming together I realize that they really did happen. My life up until I graduated from high school consisted of the old farm house and big red barn along with the horses in the field. While there were other activities such as fishing and hunting most of our childhood revolved around those horses. Mom often complained that they came before we did and in most cases she was right but the truth was that they were what defined us. It was how people knew who we were and the only ways that I got dates as I got older. You see growing up we weren't allowed to go on a real date. It either consisted of getting together at youth group or some church activity unless they came over to ride horses. By the time I was old enough to drive any date that I might have had consisted of my little sister in the back seat and again it was only to her house and our final destination then back to her place. On the rare occasion that I found myself alone with a girl I understood why my parents were so strict with me.

You see they knew just as I did that God was calling me to do something for Him. They put up a protective barrier in order to keep me from being swayed in the wrong direction but what they didn't realize was that there was much in their own lives as well as those who we hung around with that Satan would use to defeat me. I didn't fully understand the relationship with Christ and there were little examples of one who had the proper relationship for me to follow; which was why God was trying to show me through the training technique that I was beginning to develop back then. The other issue was one of pride. I was just then growing into myself and at the time there was a popular actor that I looked like so Satan had an easy time in distracting me from God's plan for my life but the thought of embarrassing my parents or disappointing them kept me from a lot worse decisions.

Today I live with the past regrets. I cannot look at my horses without feeling the pain of a life wasted that could have glorified Him. I think about the influence that I was on others and the people I caused to turn from Him and I cry out for His forgiveness. I am often reminded of the movie the Mummy with Brendan Frazier and the scene on the river boat when it catches fire. Brendan's nemesis; Benny, hollers out "Hey O'Connell; it looks like we got all the horses to which he replies; hey Benny, it looks like your on the wrong side of the river. It is no different than the children of Israel who decided that they wanted their inheritance to be on the other side of the Jordan river. We have all gotten to a place where we feel more comfortable on the wrong side because it is looks better or it is easier; we have all the horses but the problem is that just like with the children of Israel the blessing is on the other side of the river. Their inheritance was in the land of Canaan just like ours is in servitude to Christ. Yes we can serve Him in a normal job but in most cases the truth is that we don't do it. Yes we can serve Him as a Sunday School teacher but the truth is that most of us simply use an already prepared lesson plan. True we can serve Him at home but the truth is that our children recognize our lack of obedience to Him and it is what Satan uses to dissuade them from serving Christ. We have all the horses; the cars, the nice home, the good job, the perfect spouse but all these things that appear to be blessings are nothing compared to what we are giving up by being in obedience to Him.

I gave up a lot. I have lost marriages; and yes I said marriages because I have been married three times. The two divorces were not my choosing but the women were. I have lost children because my older kids are not walking with God. I pray that the decisions they made when they were young were true conversions but all I can do is pray. I have two children that I rarely get to see because of their mother and her refusal to allow me in their lives. I have lost homes, vehicles, fortunes, respect,and the ability to find a job. Unable to pay the high child support every month has cost me my drivers license and time in jail even though I pay what I can afford.It has cost me the respect of others because even though I have tried to get my support lowered it has been denied time and time again which makes others look at me in judgment. Even though I was a CEO I cannot find a job making better money because I never finished college and do not have a degree although I could do most jobs I am unemployable in a higher paying position; but the greatest loss is that of service because of my choices I am unable to serve Him as a Pastor. I can preach and do other things but even these are limited by my background.

My dear friends I implore you to turn from the things that you are doing and turn to Him. Allow Him to direct your paths and guide you in the way that He would have you to go. Do not worry about money or things because they will pass away. He has promised to provide these things for us and we are so busy trying to help Him that we are ignoring Him. We have fallen for the devil's lies that God helps those who help themselves and have lost the power that He intended for us. We have become so focused on ourselves that we have allowed others to fall into a pit of despair and then we wonder what ever happened to revival.

My dream has long been to have a youth camp and to work with not only the youth but their parents as well. Because of the things that God has gifted me with I want to be able to use the horses to show and share a relationship with Christ hopefully changing the lives of those who go through the program; not because of anything that I do but what He does. I want to be able to share the love of Christ above mere words and I pray that we can receive the prayers of our friends and loved ones.

A Wild Imagination

The fog was slowly lifting bringing into view the outline of the swamp. A gentle breeze pushed the reeds from side to side as if there were someone walking through them. The only sound that you could hear was the soft rustle of them as the bumped into each other adding to the eeriness of the swamp. A deep noise began to rise from this hidden wetland and as it loudened we realized that it was nothing more than a bullfrog making his presence known to the rest of the creatures that resided there. We were outcasts here. We didn’t belong and the rest of the inhabitants of the swamp knew it. Someone had invaded their inner sanctum and they were not happy about it. All around us the sounds came, first from one side and then the other, back and forth revealing that their conversation must have been about us.

As the fog began to thin a large shape began to rise up out of the water. It seemed to have grown from out of nothing and was increasing in size with every breath that we took. We slowly made our way to a better vantage point that was hopefully out of its line of vision but we had yet to determine where the head would be.

Another noise. This one seemed to come from this creature that was rising from the swamp and as we looked intently in its direction, steam began to rise up from it. Had it moved closer? Surely the steam was coming from its head but wait; it appeared to be coming from both sides of it. Was it possible that its head was wrapped along beside it or was it still under the water and simply moving its head from side to side on a long neck?

Perhaps we should have waited until day break before venturing out into this forbidden swamp; for as the fog lifted the darkness began to swell casting shadows all around us causing fear to well up inside of us that whoever or whatever might be in there was probably surrounding us at that very instant. We looked up at the sky. Surely the moon would push its way through the clouds soon and provide the light that we needed for the assurance of our safety.

We were not in the woods but an open field that had long been over grown with brush, but that was enough to provide cover for whatever was lurking near the swamp. A noise broke through the silence of the moment and as we looked up we realized that something was making its way toward us from our flank. We cowered lower into the grass but didn’t want to lose sight of what was in the water either, for we were certain now that it had moved even closer.

Angrily we chided ourselves for not bringing any light with us to search out these things that were making their way toward us. The noise on the land now doubled as another figure slowly came into view, and another and another.

Suddenly behind us we began to hear noises. We were trapped. We could not go forward for the swamp and now our retreat was impeded by whatever it was that was making its way to our direction. The other side was being blocked by whatever was in the water. Why did we believe that we could be successful on this mission?

We huddled closer together as if that would prevent each of us from being torn up by whatever was approaching but the closeness provided some comfort. We would all go together and we would go down fighting for our lives. We looked at each other and with confidence decided that we needed to take a stand and just as we began to rise up from the thick brush the moon pushed its way thoroughly through the thick clouds that had hidden it all this time and as the voice began to leave our mouths we realized that our feared enemies were nothing more than the horses eating around the swamp and a giant rock partially covered by reeds.

Isn’t it funny how easily we can let our imaginations get away from us? We were just kids then but even now we allow ourselves to be taken into a situation that ends up getting away from us. The problem is that we also have a tendency to focus on what we can see and touch, allowing ourselves to be used by Satan. You see when he convinces us that we don’t need to do more than we are doing he is using us. If he can convince us to simply sit in the pews or that teaching Sunday school is enough, he is keeping us from doing the things that God would have us to do.

Now don’t get me wrong because teaching Sunday school is an important job but the job goes beyond Sunday morning. How many of you who teach Sunday school has gone out and visited your kids throughout the week? How many of you have visited with their parents or had a cookout at your house? D.L. Moody went out and built his Sunday school class. He didn’t sit back and let it grow on its own.

In some cases we need to let our imagination get away from us. We need to envision what it’s going to be like when our neighbor dies, not knowing the Lord or our paperboy gets hit by a car and dies without knowing Jesus, or the homeless person on the corner who not only needs to know Jesus but also needs a hot meal and a place to sleep.

Imagine if you would the difference it would make just in your neighborhood if you began loving people as Christ does. Yes they need to hear the gospel but they need physical things as well and we have sat back too long listening to Satan convince us that we don’t have to do more. We have listened to these charlatans who have allowed Satan to cloud their thinking telling us that all they need is Jesus and everything will change for them.

Yes! They do need Jesus but they need a job too. Yes, they need Jesus but they need some food also. Yes, they need Jesus but they need to see the love that He has for them and that comes through you. They have heard it all before, Jesus loves them and the truth is yes He does and He has sent you to love them too. You may be saying that they will just go out and spend whatever money I give them on drugs or alcohol and the truth is they just might but how about giving them something to eat and a few bucks. When they ask why, tell them how Jesus loves them and so do you but don’t withhold from them just because you’re afraid they will spend your dollar wrongly. It is on their head if they do but yours if you don’t. We never know how the Holy Spirit has been working on someone and it might be at that precise moment that the Holy Spirit gets through to them.

I have known of people who have actually paid prostitutes to listen to them share the gospel, while others will simply hand them a tract and keep going. Guess which one has the most success in sharing the gospel? They have witnessed women leaving the profession because of the love and respect that they have shown them because it reveals the love of Christ that goes beyond mere words.

I have heard of people who stand outside of bars and provide rides to those who are coming out, sharing the gospel with them on the way home and you know what? The craziest thing happens. People actually get saved. The truth is that yes you do get some who are not going to listen and you do get some who are going to take advantage of the situation but the fact remains that it is simply up to us to be obedient and the results are up to the Holy Spirit so we need to quit making excuses for why we don’t do more than we do.

Look at Jesus’ ministry;

He healed ten lepers, only one thanked Him

He fed 5,000 and people followed Him for more. Many of these same people shouted out crucify Him.

He died on the cross while people stood beneath it ridiculing him and yet He stayed there and accepted our punishment. The thief next to Him recognized who He was and as He gave up the ghost a lone Roman guard looked at Him and said surely this was the Son of God.

In the year 286 AD an entire legion (6,666 men in all) being all Christians refused to obey the orders of emperor Maximian to assist in ridding Gaul of all Christians, this so greatly enraged Maximian that he ordered the legion to be decimated, that is, every tenth man to be selected from the rest, and put to the sword. This bloody order having been put in execution, those who remained alive were still inflexible, when a second decimation took place, and every tenth man of those living was put to death. This second severity made no more impression than the first had done; the soldiers preserved their fortitude and their principles, but by the advice of their officers they drew up a loyal remonstrance to the emperor. This, it might have been presumed, would have softened the emperor, but it had a contrary effect: for, enraged at their perseverance and unanimity, he commanded that the whole legion should be put to death, which was accordingly executed by the other troops, who cut them to pieces with their swords, September 22, 286.