I remember as a kid watching the popular movie "Aladdin" numerous times. Aladdin was a little blue genie that became a part of the main character's life once he found a golden "thing" (don't know the actual name) and a genie popped out. The genie was able to grant wishes.
I also remember as a kid the popular television show I Dream of Genie. I loved that show. I loved how they could make things happen and would make the coolest things take place.
I was surprised when I found out that 2 Chronicles 1 you see a genie type scenario play out between Solomon and God. It's really quite interesting and worth you time to study and read the entire chapter, because I will only highlight a few parts here.
"In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, 'Ask what I shall give you." (2 Chronicles 1:7)
WOW! Sometimes I really wish God would ask me that. I could think of a lot of things. In fact as soon as I read that verse earlier this morning, my mind began to wander towards the areas that I would ask for. A boat, a chance to meet Steve Spurrier, my mortgage to be paid off, my child to be super successful... In fact, YOU are probably thinking of some things right now! But continue reading, because Solomon's response kicked me right in the diaphragm!
"Give me now wisdom and knowledge..." (1:10)
Ouch. As I thought through what I wanted, I realized something after reading this verse - all that I would ask for benefited me personally in some way. But, Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge, and if you read the rest of the verses and the context of the scriptures you see the reason for the request: to help lead the people that God has given him. It would benefit him, sure, but it would even more greatly benefit those whom he is leading.
Oh that I would come to that heart/realization. I think there's a lot of us that think we have all the knowledge/wisdom we could possibly bear when in all reality - God has placed us in specific/strategic places of leadership and wisdom/knowledge is exactly what we need! I don't believe that Solomon was just asking for a one time blessing/filling of knowledge/wisdom... I believe Solomon was realizing that the type of wisdom knowledge he needed would be a daily process of following God's leading.
All too often God's leading is compromised for our feeling. Don't let your mind overrule your heart, the place of God's residence. See, God is asking us what He could give us - but He wants it to be with the right heart... why do I say that? Check this out:
"God said to Solomon, 'Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge...wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed..." (1:11-12)
So, because of Solomon's HEART in the request God not only granted his request of knowledge and wisdom but He also blessed him with even more riches wealth and honor! Here's what I'm learning - the more wisdom and knowledge I obtain through the following of the Holy Spirit, the more I understand true riches, actual wealth, and the definition of honor.
May we all, together, learn to understand the importance of knowledge and wisdom and the incredible consistent process that is included in this!
Lord, give me YOUR heart to teach me the knowledge needed, and the wisdom desired!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Past Battle - Current Protection
Naturally, as a male, I'm a pretty competitive person. I don't like to lose, and I don't like for someone to show me up. Therefore, I enjoy games that involve competition. Basketball, Football, Baseball, etc. But, I also love war games. I love to build an army of combatants and defeat other armies. It's just interesting to me, I don't know why maybe I'm a nerd. (Don't judge me!)
One story that I have always loved, from childhood, is the story of David and Goliath. Then the aftermath of that battle, where David was actually hated by King Saul, merely because people celebrated David for defeating a giant...yeah that was expected! (not really) But, I ran across something in my study today in 1 Samuel 21 that really made me think and gave me hope.
1 Samuel 21:8-9 are the verses in study here.
David comes into a place of hiding and refuge after finding out from his covenant relationship with Jonathan that Saul was out for his head. He's talking with Ahimelech and asking for some food, since he had to leave in such a hurry, and for weapons. Basically asking for anything of worth that could help him during this journey of survival and even discovery of his new life. And Ahimelech lets him know about the sword of Goliath that was still available. And if he needed it - it was available for us, in which David gratefully accepted the offer.
I thought it interesting that a few chapters earlier, there was an intense battle between 2 armies, and the main weapon of intimidation and destruction for Goliath was his sword. And it took a shepherd boy to come bringing food/water to his brothers to have enough guts to attempt to take on the giant. Why? Because he wasn't afraid because of the presence/power of God with him. But, we see an intense and dramatic battle take place with David and Goliath, and we all know the end result. David beasts Goliath by killing him with a sling and a stone... despite the sword of Goliath.
Goliath had superior armor and weapons, but David defeated the giant. And the sword was kept, I would imagine as a keepsake or a reminder of the battle, and that anything is possible. But, there came a time in David's life, when he would come face to face with the sword that no doubt caused some nervousness and fear in his life. But, this time the sword that caused a series of emotions was different. It was a different set of circumstances, and different establishment of situations... life was different. This time David would find himself being chased by the very man that mentored him for years. David would find himself running for his life, quite literally, from someone that once had all of his trust.
Here was the difference - the weapon that once caused fear, timidity, and anxiety on the part of David, was now about to provide security, reliability, and comfort. The very sword that was once part of David's battle, was now becoming part of David's current protection.Here's what I learned in this: You may be fighting a battle at this moment. You may be impatient about a promise, you may be fighting with your spouse, you may feel as if there is no person/being/thing that could help you from this pain... and your battle may be consuming your life. And sometimes God wants you to pick up the weapons He's placed in front of you, regardless of size/logic (sling and stone), and let Him defeat the giant. But don't take your current battle for granted, because your current battle could produce your future protection! (Goliath's sword) There's ALWAYS a lesson to be learned from a battle - whether won or lost....
Don't let your battle depress you, let it defend you! You can do this!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Stand Strong...
As a kid I was easily talked into doing anything! I was just always one of those guys that loved to get a laugh, a shock factor, and a second glance of "I can't believe he just did that!". In college, I ran into deadbolted doors for laughs, jumped off of 3rd story fire escapes, and tackled a security guard out of a golf cart. All of which were not the best of choices, but they accomplished my goal... to get a laugh or chuckle. Not to mention, I thought they were all pretty funny myself. I gave the scripture in 1 Corinthians "All things are lawful for me, not all things are profitable..." a very literal meaning!
As I've grown older I've matured and grown up, naturally. It's a natural progression. As I've worked in the ministry and been in leadership, I've learned a lot about leadership as well. As a young leader, my decisions/ideas were easily swayed or transitioned, simply because I wasn't as confident in my leadership decisions. Now, my above motives/decisions weren't detrimental to me... may not have been bright, but not detrimental. They were simply stupid.
As I read in Luke 23 the story of Jesus being brought before Pilate I see a leader that was trying. A leader that felt as if he had the tools, abilities, capabilities, and opportunities to be a great leader. Someone that had the chance to really lead people well. But, I see a leader that wasn't confident in his leadership skills. A leader that was scared, and listened a whole lot more to people than to God. A leader that was more infatuated with position than with progression. A leader that wasn't worried about doing the right thing, but the popular thing.
"But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted." (Luke 23:23-24, NASB)
Their voices BEGAN TO PREVAIL... and he gave instructions THAT THEIR DEMAND BE GRANTED. A leader that is not confident in leading will always give in. That doesn't mean that leaders lead with an iron fist, comparable to a dictator. It means that a leader knows the direction and goal in which they are to achieve, and journey that road with those that follow.
Leaders too often give up. They give in. They give in to what seems to be the demands of their followers. They are FOLLOWERS because they are FOLLOWING your LEAD! Pilate wanted Jesus released, but the people did not. And because of that, the innocence of Christ hung on a humiliating and embarassing cross. The pure innocent Lamb was crucified to a death that only the worst criminals were to partake. Why? Yes because God the Father ordained it this way for our sacrifices... but also because Pilate wasn't a compotent or confident leader.
As you lead today, whether it's your ministry, family, classroom or other area of influence, lead with the confidence that God will not lead you astray. If God truly placed you in your area of influence, He's given you the ability to confidently follow Him, as others follow you! Lead today and lead with confidence. Your family WILL follow and so will others... all because leadership anointing attracts followers.
As I've grown older I've matured and grown up, naturally. It's a natural progression. As I've worked in the ministry and been in leadership, I've learned a lot about leadership as well. As a young leader, my decisions/ideas were easily swayed or transitioned, simply because I wasn't as confident in my leadership decisions. Now, my above motives/decisions weren't detrimental to me... may not have been bright, but not detrimental. They were simply stupid.
As I read in Luke 23 the story of Jesus being brought before Pilate I see a leader that was trying. A leader that felt as if he had the tools, abilities, capabilities, and opportunities to be a great leader. Someone that had the chance to really lead people well. But, I see a leader that wasn't confident in his leadership skills. A leader that was scared, and listened a whole lot more to people than to God. A leader that was more infatuated with position than with progression. A leader that wasn't worried about doing the right thing, but the popular thing.
"But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted." (Luke 23:23-24, NASB)
Their voices BEGAN TO PREVAIL... and he gave instructions THAT THEIR DEMAND BE GRANTED. A leader that is not confident in leading will always give in. That doesn't mean that leaders lead with an iron fist, comparable to a dictator. It means that a leader knows the direction and goal in which they are to achieve, and journey that road with those that follow.
Leaders too often give up. They give in. They give in to what seems to be the demands of their followers. They are FOLLOWERS because they are FOLLOWING your LEAD! Pilate wanted Jesus released, but the people did not. And because of that, the innocence of Christ hung on a humiliating and embarassing cross. The pure innocent Lamb was crucified to a death that only the worst criminals were to partake. Why? Yes because God the Father ordained it this way for our sacrifices... but also because Pilate wasn't a compotent or confident leader.
As you lead today, whether it's your ministry, family, classroom or other area of influence, lead with the confidence that God will not lead you astray. If God truly placed you in your area of influence, He's given you the ability to confidently follow Him, as others follow you! Lead today and lead with confidence. Your family WILL follow and so will others... all because leadership anointing attracts followers.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Watching
"The word of the Lord came to me saying, 'What do you see Jeremiah?' and I said 'I see a rod of an almond tree.' Then the Lord said to me, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it." (Jeremiah 1:11-12)Ephesians 1:4 says that we were created in Him and chosen in Him before the Earth was even created. So, WE were created before the very place of our inhabitance. We were also consecrated, or set a part for a specific purpose, before the Earth. What does this mean?
Well, since we know that God's WORDS spoke everything into existence, and set the boundaries of it's limitations and specific purposes, we can believe that the same is true for us. God spoke a word into our hearts/spirits when we were created in order to set our boundaries of our specific purpose.
He tells Jeremiah that He is watching over His word to make sure it is performed well. Wow! God is looking down from above, watching us... not to critique, to criticize, nor to "dog out" what we are doing... rather, as a loving father, to help us perform well our purpose!
See, growing up, my dad only wanted me to succeed. When I had a reason/purpose to complete something He told me to do, he wanted me to do it and do it right. That could be why I have such a desire/passion to accomplish everything with excellence now. He wouldn't look for things I'd done wrong, but ways to make sure I was performing at my best.
God is doing the same with us. He doesn't want to beat us up over something, He simply wants to help us accomplish our task with excellence, and to the best of our ability. Why? Because it brings HONOR to Him, and makes His creation look good.
So, whatever it is that God has spoken into your spirit. Maybe it was years ago, maybe days ago, maybe hours ago... but whatever it is. If you've buried it, uncover it. If you've forgotten it, ask God to bring it back to memory. If it's not important, please make it an object of prayer... because He spoke that into you on purpose. And He's waiting to help you perform it... the way He intended. Just listen to Him.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
In Me
I am a fairly hyper active person. Always have been, however, I'm not quite as bad I once was. Just ask my mom - she's got some stories... on second thought, DON'T ask her. But, being hyper active, I always had a pretty active imagination. I would make toys out of anything, and would play cops and robbers, all by myself if the time called for that. And you know what, I was never really at loss for things to do, or places to visit, simply because all of that was inside of me.
So, essentially inside of me was locked up all kinds of possibilities and opportunities. As a kid I never saw anything as impossible. Sometimes things were difficult, they were hard, and maybe I had to work a little harder to make it happen, but impossible was not in my vocabulary. One time I wanted a tree house, and I wanted to build it myself. I never asked my dad or brother or anyone for help. Me and my friend Chad went out into the woods in front of my house, and began to build a tree house out of BRANCHES! Needless to say it was pretty bad. NOT a good idea... the point is this: I wanted it, and it never crossed my mind how difficult it might be. I just knew that's what I wanted/needed and I did what I had to in order to make it happen.
In life, many times we look at the impossibilities instead of the possibilities. We look at the difficulties rather than the opportunities. Sometimes I long to go back to childhood, merely for the reason of knowing that ANYTHING was actually possible. Maybe it was the covering of protection from parents, or something else. Either way, it wasn't a problem, it was an opportunity. As life goes on, many of us need something or want something, or see something that we are "drawn" to or "called" to, but then the problem/difficulty raises up... and our destination becomes nothing more than something to strive for, instead of something to get to.
"Now to Him who is able to do FARE MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND all that we ask or think, ACCORDING to the POWER THAT WORKS WITHIN US..." (Ephesians 3:20)
Yes, God can do whatever He wants, and He can do MORE than we could ever even imagine, however, there's a key part of that verse. "...according to the power that works within us..." What is that power?
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)
What works within us is the same power that worked within Christ when He was actually DEFEATING DEATH! Think about it - it says "...who raise Jesus from the dead..." Why was He raised from the dead? TO DEFEAT DEATH! So, the same power that conquered death, is the same power that can conquer our difficulties!
Does that mean that you will get EVERYTHING you want? Well, if your desires are His, sure... if they aren't, then probably not honestly. I'm just encouraged in the fact that if I believe in the power within me and I know what it can accomplish - then God can do above what I've ever even WISHED! When Jesus returned to His hometown, Matthew says "He didn't preform many miracles because of unbelief..."
In order for God to really rock out and do something greater than we can imagine, I must put myself in places to trust in and believe in the power He's placed within me! It's not about me... it's not about what I can't accomplish, but about what He can. And with Him - NOTHING is impossible!
Will you trust the power within you today? If you haven't, will you pray and ask God to help you trust His power?
So, essentially inside of me was locked up all kinds of possibilities and opportunities. As a kid I never saw anything as impossible. Sometimes things were difficult, they were hard, and maybe I had to work a little harder to make it happen, but impossible was not in my vocabulary. One time I wanted a tree house, and I wanted to build it myself. I never asked my dad or brother or anyone for help. Me and my friend Chad went out into the woods in front of my house, and began to build a tree house out of BRANCHES! Needless to say it was pretty bad. NOT a good idea... the point is this: I wanted it, and it never crossed my mind how difficult it might be. I just knew that's what I wanted/needed and I did what I had to in order to make it happen.
In life, many times we look at the impossibilities instead of the possibilities. We look at the difficulties rather than the opportunities. Sometimes I long to go back to childhood, merely for the reason of knowing that ANYTHING was actually possible. Maybe it was the covering of protection from parents, or something else. Either way, it wasn't a problem, it was an opportunity. As life goes on, many of us need something or want something, or see something that we are "drawn" to or "called" to, but then the problem/difficulty raises up... and our destination becomes nothing more than something to strive for, instead of something to get to.
"Now to Him who is able to do FARE MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND all that we ask or think, ACCORDING to the POWER THAT WORKS WITHIN US..." (Ephesians 3:20)
Yes, God can do whatever He wants, and He can do MORE than we could ever even imagine, however, there's a key part of that verse. "...according to the power that works within us..." What is that power?
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)
What works within us is the same power that worked within Christ when He was actually DEFEATING DEATH! Think about it - it says "...who raise Jesus from the dead..." Why was He raised from the dead? TO DEFEAT DEATH! So, the same power that conquered death, is the same power that can conquer our difficulties!
Does that mean that you will get EVERYTHING you want? Well, if your desires are His, sure... if they aren't, then probably not honestly. I'm just encouraged in the fact that if I believe in the power within me and I know what it can accomplish - then God can do above what I've ever even WISHED! When Jesus returned to His hometown, Matthew says "He didn't preform many miracles because of unbelief..."
In order for God to really rock out and do something greater than we can imagine, I must put myself in places to trust in and believe in the power He's placed within me! It's not about me... it's not about what I can't accomplish, but about what He can. And with Him - NOTHING is impossible!
Will you trust the power within you today? If you haven't, will you pray and ask God to help you trust His power?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Not JUST a Story
Hebrews 1:3 "And He is the radiance of His glory and the EXACT representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," (NASB, emphasis mine)
Couple that scripture with:
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus. by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh," (Hebrews 10:19-20)
I'm in unspeakable awe of what all of that really entails. Just reading the first verse (Heb. 1:3), I had to stop and pause for a few minutes to soak it in... and during my time of soaking in the Word - I began to be overwhelmed by the very words printed in my Bible. It's not that I never understood Jesus before. It's not that I never knew what He represented, it's something about that verse that brings it all home.
Jesus was a man, yes I know that. He was on earth, yes that is understood. But, what I often forget is that He was the "EXACT representation" of God. Not just some man, not just some guy, not just some dude walking around trying to make it. (which He was) - But He was the EXACT representation of God's grace, beauty, forgiveness, love, and mercy. He wasn't trying to achieve that - He WAS that!
And the fact that God chose to bless us with the opportunity for HIM to come to OUR place of life is incredible. Yet, the verse goes on to say that He made PURIFICATION of sins. He didn't eliminate them... He didn't forget them... He didn't throw them away... He made them PURE. Think about it - sin: dirty, grimy, disgusting acts of disobedience covered in disrespect. Yet, God said - If I TAKE them away, it's not love anymore because you don't CHOOSE your love to me, you're forced to it. But, if I leave them and make the PURE to those who love me - then there's a true love and passion...
God's EXACT representation, God's very being was put to death - in a brutal manner - so that we could CHOOSE to be purified through Him. But, couldn't He have done that in a different way?
"For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18, NASB)
He sent His very self down to earth for 1 reason: To learn more about us, so He could make us pure. And as He lived our life, as He encountered our culture, and as He loved our loved ones... He realized that purification through death was the way to defeat the fear of death. (2:14)
So, at this point the story of Jesus can't be just a story of forgiveness so I can live my life... but a story of the beauty and grace of indescribable forgiveness so that we can live His life. Today, you have the chance to live with Him and for Him. It's not a decision to be thought about it - it's a decision that must be realized. That through Him my life is made purposeful. And that will never change!
Couple that scripture with:
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus. by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh," (Hebrews 10:19-20)
I'm in unspeakable awe of what all of that really entails. Just reading the first verse (Heb. 1:3), I had to stop and pause for a few minutes to soak it in... and during my time of soaking in the Word - I began to be overwhelmed by the very words printed in my Bible. It's not that I never understood Jesus before. It's not that I never knew what He represented, it's something about that verse that brings it all home.
Jesus was a man, yes I know that. He was on earth, yes that is understood. But, what I often forget is that He was the "EXACT representation" of God. Not just some man, not just some guy, not just some dude walking around trying to make it. (which He was) - But He was the EXACT representation of God's grace, beauty, forgiveness, love, and mercy. He wasn't trying to achieve that - He WAS that!
And the fact that God chose to bless us with the opportunity for HIM to come to OUR place of life is incredible. Yet, the verse goes on to say that He made PURIFICATION of sins. He didn't eliminate them... He didn't forget them... He didn't throw them away... He made them PURE. Think about it - sin: dirty, grimy, disgusting acts of disobedience covered in disrespect. Yet, God said - If I TAKE them away, it's not love anymore because you don't CHOOSE your love to me, you're forced to it. But, if I leave them and make the PURE to those who love me - then there's a true love and passion...
God's EXACT representation, God's very being was put to death - in a brutal manner - so that we could CHOOSE to be purified through Him. But, couldn't He have done that in a different way?
"For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18, NASB)
He sent His very self down to earth for 1 reason: To learn more about us, so He could make us pure. And as He lived our life, as He encountered our culture, and as He loved our loved ones... He realized that purification through death was the way to defeat the fear of death. (2:14)
So, at this point the story of Jesus can't be just a story of forgiveness so I can live my life... but a story of the beauty and grace of indescribable forgiveness so that we can live His life. Today, you have the chance to live with Him and for Him. It's not a decision to be thought about it - it's a decision that must be realized. That through Him my life is made purposeful. And that will never change!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Radical Righteousness
Righteousness. A religious term, only applicable to those who attend church, sit in pews, and enjoy church music. Right?
Merriam-Webster defines "Righteousness" as: 1-free from guilt or sin. 2- morally right or justifiable.
Good ol' Merriam. He's such a smart guy to know so many words. He'll never know the impact of this one definition on me. It puts the book of Proverbs into such reality and simplicity.
Check out Proverbs 13:
5 "A righteous man hates falsehood..."
6 "Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless..."
9 "The light of the righteous rejoices..."
Righteousness... it's the idea of being free from sin. It's the act of being burdened no more by the stresses and frustrations of the world, simply because you know God has it all. It's the evidence of grace, mercy, love, and understanding all wrapped into one characteristic. It's pleasing God... and according to Proverbs 13 it's reward is protection, favor, and joy.
You see when righteousness becomes a reality to me, I begin to HATE being around sin and sinful things. I begin to despise having it evident in my life. I don't want anything to do with it. Which in most definitions would make someone a "radical".
My friend Merriam-Webster does it again:
Radical: 1- very different from the usual or traditional, 2- favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions.
So to be a radical, would be to be different... extremely different from the "norm". I think what I am in need of in my life, and in the church across America is simple: Radical Righteousness. When people leave groups of friends, family, and other habits behind to be closer to God we see it as strange or radical. When in all reality, it's the realization of righteousness. RADICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS will cause me to HATE sin and anything associated with it. Which makes Proverbs 13:20 completely relevant all of a sudden. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Now, it's not so crazy or radical, but it's now a Godly side effect of the covering, favor, and protection that righteousness creates!
Does that mean never associate with sinners? No, how else can we win them to Christ? It means don't WALK with them. Meet them, talk with them, hang out with them, but your steps can't be the same as their steps. Why? Because you now have radical righteousness - and that causes you to be different from the existing views/mindsets.
So, don't even question favor, protection, or understanding from God - if righteousness isn't even something you're striving for. I realized something today. It's ok to be a "black sheep" or to be different from the norm. I don't HAVE to look like, act like, talk like, or be like other pastors, youth pastors, or leaders. I can learn from them, respect them, and be mentored by them... but I don't have to BE them! As long as we are all walking in radical righteousness, who should care who we are anyway? As long as we are who God created us to be.
From now on, I'm me. I'm Brandon. No questions, no apologies, no worries. It's me and God. Radical Righteousness is my destination... God is my process. I love Him - THAT'S why!
Merriam-Webster defines "Righteousness" as: 1-free from guilt or sin. 2- morally right or justifiable.
Good ol' Merriam. He's such a smart guy to know so many words. He'll never know the impact of this one definition on me. It puts the book of Proverbs into such reality and simplicity.
Check out Proverbs 13:
5 "A righteous man hates falsehood..."
6 "Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless..."
9 "The light of the righteous rejoices..."
Righteousness... it's the idea of being free from sin. It's the act of being burdened no more by the stresses and frustrations of the world, simply because you know God has it all. It's the evidence of grace, mercy, love, and understanding all wrapped into one characteristic. It's pleasing God... and according to Proverbs 13 it's reward is protection, favor, and joy.
You see when righteousness becomes a reality to me, I begin to HATE being around sin and sinful things. I begin to despise having it evident in my life. I don't want anything to do with it. Which in most definitions would make someone a "radical".
My friend Merriam-Webster does it again:
Radical: 1- very different from the usual or traditional, 2- favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions.
So to be a radical, would be to be different... extremely different from the "norm". I think what I am in need of in my life, and in the church across America is simple: Radical Righteousness. When people leave groups of friends, family, and other habits behind to be closer to God we see it as strange or radical. When in all reality, it's the realization of righteousness. RADICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS will cause me to HATE sin and anything associated with it. Which makes Proverbs 13:20 completely relevant all of a sudden. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Now, it's not so crazy or radical, but it's now a Godly side effect of the covering, favor, and protection that righteousness creates!
Does that mean never associate with sinners? No, how else can we win them to Christ? It means don't WALK with them. Meet them, talk with them, hang out with them, but your steps can't be the same as their steps. Why? Because you now have radical righteousness - and that causes you to be different from the existing views/mindsets.
So, don't even question favor, protection, or understanding from God - if righteousness isn't even something you're striving for. I realized something today. It's ok to be a "black sheep" or to be different from the norm. I don't HAVE to look like, act like, talk like, or be like other pastors, youth pastors, or leaders. I can learn from them, respect them, and be mentored by them... but I don't have to BE them! As long as we are all walking in radical righteousness, who should care who we are anyway? As long as we are who God created us to be.
From now on, I'm me. I'm Brandon. No questions, no apologies, no worries. It's me and God. Radical Righteousness is my destination... God is my process. I love Him - THAT'S why!
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