July 26 - Second Chances
If I were to count how many times I have gone against the will of God for my life or repeated a habitual sin I would most assuredly tire before the assignment was completed. I have said, “Father, I promise never to do that again; never to say that again; never to go there again”. But before I realize it, I am doing what I promised I would not, saying what I vowed never to say, and back where I swore I would not go. Often times it is not because I want to, but simply because it is so familiar to me from having been there many times before.
Most of my adult life has been spent wasting the grace I have been given and testing the mercies of God. Am I the only one? The Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15 that “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief”. If Paul is the chief of sinners then most certainly I am his superior officer. But God is not like man. With each break of day new mercy is extended. And for every time I am tricked by the enemy, grace covers me.
To think that my sins are too great or too plentiful to be forgiven is a lie and so far from the truth. One thing we must remember about the enemy is that he is a liar and he loves to accuse us when we fall. He can only be trusted to kill, steal and destroy. Therefore, we cannot allow his accusations to change what we already know about God’s forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV).
For years I believed that my sins were being held and counted against me. I thought that God was adding up every time I repeated the same sin and when I reached the maximum limit allotted for that particular thing, grace and mercy would be cut off. I have since learned that God does not operate that way. He does not give us 50 or 100 chances and then boom He’s done with us. He causes Himself to forget the sins we have confessed therefore only giving us second chances. “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” (Isaiah 43:25 KJV). If we repeat our sins it is as if it were our first time. God’s desire is that we live in complete communion with Him but sin breaks that union. When we confess, we are immediately reunited with Him because a confessed sin is a forgiven sin. Please hold on to this truth.
Lay aside everything that weighs you down, especially the sins that appear small and insignificant. These are quite honestly the foyer to death and destruction. My desire for you is to bask is the glory of God here on earth and throughout eternity. Though He can wipe your slate clean with each confession, He would rather you obey than repent.
What I practice and admonish you to practice as well is to daily bow before the throne of heaven and plead the blood of Jesus over your life. Do not concern yourself with yesterday or tomorrow, but ask God for the power to live a life that is holy and acceptable today. In so doing, you will find that “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18 NIV).
Blessings,
D
June 24 - Father's Day
Recently I lived a dream that I never thought would ever be a reality for me. But for you to appreciate the reality I must first take you back to how the dream began.
When I was seven years old my father died of cancer. I remember it well though it was many years ago and I was just a boy, but I never knew completely how it would affect me as a man. My mother tried to compensate for the loss as any good mother would, but daddy is a role that is impossible for a mother to play. After my dad died I tried to silence my true feelings of grief and loss. I locked him in an emotional place where only I could go, and whenever I wanted I would stay there for days. Only I could bring me back. So you can imagine that his birthday which was two days before his death was a difficult time for me. I can still see the last birthday gift we bought him; a blue and gray sweater that he was to open on November 5th, but instead we were planning his funeral. Holidays were tough and Father’s Day was no exception. Over time that day lost its significance. It reminded me of my loss and represented so much sadness. I was hurting and did not know how to heal.
Throughout my adolescence I was fine, or so I thought. Well adjusted and on my way was the image I projected. I was learning how to fake it and in time was a master at appearing to be whole while trying desperately to keep it together. I thought if I dressed up the outside then no one would ask about the inside. All would assume that I was just great. Well, as I began dating the mask began to crack. I decided that to keep from being left alone I would make sure that no one ever got too close to me. That way if they decided to leave then I would be unaffected. But having this mindset was toxic to every relationship that I found myself in. I wanted the things most people want; to be married and have my own family but my fear of abandonment would never allow me to experience that level of intimacy. In turn I resolved that I would probably never marry or have kids, but that was my dream. I wanted so badly to travel around the world with my voice as the vehicle and from the stage look into the wings and see my family standing there.
On the eve of Father’s Day I was on stage ministering a song that is very close to my heart, “He’s A Part of Me”. This is a song that I wrote as a tribute to my dad. When I looked to my right I saw my beautiful wife whose presence alone brings me peace and my precious daughter. In that instant I felt complete having realized a nearly forgotten dream. The next day, my first Father’s Day, was one that was reminiscent of the past but expectant of the future. God had taken what the enemy for years had used to try to destroy me and turned it into what I now use to motivate me. I will be the father to my children that my father could not be to me.
Now when I look into the mirror I see a whole man and not one that is in pieces. I have a heavenly Father who loved me before I knew Him and a wife who knows me and still chooses to love me. I am a product of my past and no longer a prisoner of it.
So to those of you who have lost a father or a husband be encouraged because, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows, is God in His holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:5 NIV).
Blessings,
D
May 20 - His Fight
There is a familiar phrase that I am sure you have all heard before and may have even repeated once or twice. I have heard this phrase spoken countless times and in many different ways but the meaning is still the same; “God is all that I need”. Do you remember that one? With my own lips I have quoted this creed or a variant of it and meant every word at least so I thought. But in reality, these words were not always the true testament of my heart. I wanted to believe them; however my actions proved that I did not.
Everyone will encounter situations that will be too much to handle by themselves. It is that part of life that is completely inescapable. But what we must do when these situations present themselves is trust is the all sufficient nature of God the Father. Without God nothing is possible but with Him every thing is.
Okay, for those of you who are still not convinced I will prove my point with scripture. Judges 6-7 is but one passage of scripture that captures the omnipotence of God. Of all the people in Israel God chose Gideon, the least in his family and whose clan was the weakest in Manasseh to defend His name and defeat the Midianites. On two occasions Gideon asked God for a sign to know that God was with him. When God gave Gideon the sign he trusted God to save Israel by his hand and God did.
Gideon took thirty-two thousand men with him to fight the Midianites and believed that he would defeat them. But God told him that he had too many and to send home the ones who were afraid. Twenty-two thousand men went home. In so doing God would prove to Israel that He alone was able to defend them and prevent them from boasting in their own strength. Again God told Gideon he still had too many men and that He would sift them while they were drinking water. Of the ten thousand men that remained God chose three hundred to fight the Midianites.
In the middle of the night God spoke to Gideon and told him to separate the men into three units and surround the Midianites’ camp. Each man was given a trumpet and a jar with a torch inside. At Gideon’s command they blew their trumpets, broke their jars and all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon”. When the Midianites heard this they began running away. God caused the men in the camp to turn on themselves and kill each other with their swords. Those who fled were captured and killed as well. That day God delivered the Midianites into the hands of Gideon and his men as He had promised.
Were I to be called to the front line of battle I would wear as much armor as was humanly possible and have as much artillery as I could carry. These men went to war with a trumpet, a jar and a torch. But we must not overlook that they also went with the promise of God. God alone is enough and He uses ways that seem senseless to man to bring glory to Himself. If you are anything like me then you too have doubted God’s sufficiency but be reminded that God is all powerful and can perform far more than you or I can ever think or imagine. I choose to be a believer and I believe that “God is all that I need”.
Blessings,
D
April 28 - Painful Promises
It is easy to say that I love God and will trust Him when everything is going my way. When all is well with my family, God’s provision is all around me, when I am daily conversing with Him and He feels close enough to touch, it is effortless to be in relationship with God. But when every prayer I pray seemingly goes unanswered, and when the presence of God cannot be found it is then that my faith in Him is proven.
Often I have ascribed to the enemy what God was orchestrating for His glory. Countless times I have said “Satan, the Lord rebuke you!” when it was God who ordered the trial. For years my perception of God was that He is a God of love and when His hand is extended it is always pouring out blessings. He is and it is. Whatever God does in my life is a blessing but in addition I also believe that His blessings may sometimes cause me to experience pain. But how can a blessing from God be painful? One such example is the life test of Joseph.
Joseph was born into a wealthy family and reaped the benefits of a Father who lavishly displayed his love for him. At the age of seventeen his brothers sold him into slavery after he shared with them his dream that they would eventually bow down to him. [Though your dream be God-given be careful with whom you share it] But even as a slave, Joseph stood out because the blessing of God was upon him. Having served well he was put in charge of his master’s house, only later to be thrown into prison after being falsely accused of attempted rape. God’s blessing went with him into the prison and there he was made responsible for of all the other prisoners. After enduring thirteen years of slavery, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as second in command over all of Egypt because he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream which prepared and saved the Egyptians from an impending famine. Joseph’s life test positioned him to be a blessing to the Pharaoh so that Egypt could be a blessing to the entire Middle East. (Genesis 37, 39-50)
Over and over again in scripture God used one individual to bless the masses. Here with Joseph, the life of Moses, and ultimately Jesus Christ. Often a life of blessing is accompanied by a season of exile. God has to pull you away from ordinary familiarities so with you He can create extraordinary possibilities. Keep in mind that your test may span your entire lifetime but you are still a blessed individual.
Believe me, I have had my share of tests and I am realizing that it is just a part of being a blessed man. In the middle of my pain I asked God what did I do wrong and why was I being punished? God said that He was not punishing me but perfecting me and that it is only through the heat of the fire that I can purified.
So if it is your desire to live a life that is blessed, be confident in the knowledge that you too will experience tests that will cause you to at times wonder where God is. I assure you that He is there with you in the fire and that having gone through it you will be made pure so that He can be glorified through you.
Blessings,
D
March 24 - Baby Faith
Recently I spent a few days with some close friends celebrating the birth of their son. At the dedication I stood proudly gazing at their precious child while my mind was taken back to the beginning of their journey. Theirs was not the storybook tale of boy meets girl, boy marries girl, then starts a family and they live happily ever after. Having gone through two unsuccessful pregnancies together, the likelihood of carrying a child to full term was scarce at best, and it was advised that they not try to conceive again but adopt instead.
That prognosis did not sit well with me. Though I am an advocate for adoption I just believed that their children would come from them. So I went to the word of God to see what the scriptures would say. What I found was a congruent connection between the lives of those who did great things for the kingdom of God and their adverse beginnings. Simply stated, the ones destined for greatness had the hardest time getting here.
Hebrews 11:11-12 says, “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” Another example is found in Genesis 30: 22-24 which states, “Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said ‘God had taken away my disgrace.’ She named him Joseph...” Lastly, Hannah prayed, “...O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head...and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son” (1Samuel 1:11, 19-20).
God is faithful and will be faithful until the day he returns. Isaac, Joseph, and Samuel were born to Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah – all barren women. Each woman was constantly being tormented by their jealous handmaids or the wives of their husbands. But in the face of disappointment and discouragement they prayed, they pressed, and they persevered.
So when I look at my new god-son with his parents I am encouraged by their faith in the faithfulness of God. When the enemy came to steal their promise, kill their hope, and destroy their dream the Lord God almighty lifted up a standard against him. There were times when they felt discouraged as well, but God prevailed and sent the Comforter to assure them that the work He had begun in them He would also complete.
These are just a few examples of a life of faith sustained by the power of prayer. God hears the cries of your heart and can read every tear. He is faithful and will answer. Look to His hand of mercy and listen for His voice of cheer because it is when we are at our lowest that God is most near.
Blessings,
D
February 10 - Why Worry
One thing I am increasingly sure of is that everything I go through is beneficial to me whether I can see it now or not. Over the last several weeks God has been developing my character and He has shown me that even when I cannot trace Him I am to trust Him. This is no easy task in that I am the ultimate planner. I like to know ahead of time what it is I am doing. Should plan A not work then there is always plan B. What I am inclined to share with you is this…
The shocking truth is that I have a graduate degree in Religious Studies but my six month old daughter demonstrates more faith in me than I do in God. When she goes to bed, never once does she think I will not be there to gently rock her back to sleep should she awaken in the middle of the night. Nor does she question if I will greet her in the morning and make sure she is dressed and fed. If my daughter cries I come running. She knows that whatever it is she needs she will have and she never doubts that. Why does she have so much faith in me? It is because I have never given her a reason to believe otherwise. She is convinced that I will do it again because I have done it before.
Shamefully I ask myself, has God ever given me a reason to believe He will not take care of me? Can I recall a time when He passed me by or let me down? Never! So why is it that I allow myself to stress out when things do not go as I have planned? Could it be that He is working a plan greater than the one I have for myself? The Apostle Paul has assured me in Romans 8:28 that “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” I believe that now. Though I have consistently worried if God will do for me what He promised, and have lost countless hours of sleep trying to figure out why He is not following my plan, I now believe that He has not forgotten me. No longer will I spend my nights wondering if I should trust Him. The songwriter could not have put it more plainly – “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Wow! It really is that simple.
Friend of mine, please hear me and learn from my experience. God is faithful and will be faithful until the day of His return so there is never a valid reason to believe otherwise. His is nearly always the most unconventional way of doing things but just the same it is the best way. Trust that your Father can meet every need and come running when you cry. Though it took a six month old to teach me this lesson it is a lesson learned and one worth sharing.
Here is a thought. Get alone with God and reflect on just how many times He has come through for you. Should you try you will not be able to recount them all. Oh, and if worry has stolen your peace, read Matthew 6:25-34 and take it back. He would not have it any other way.
Blessings,
D
December 8 - The Key
I travel a lot and when I do there are many things that I wish I could take with me had I the space for them. However, there is one thing that I consistently carry along whether I am going across town to buy groceries or across the country to minister. I always take my keys.
Keys are especially significant to me because they allow access into each place and thing in my life that I have deemed important and valuable. They vary in shape and size but the size of the key does not determine the value of what is being accessed. I actually have two sets of keys. On one set I carry my house and car keys which I use daily. I always know where they are because of their level of importance to me. On the other, are keys that access places and things that are valuable to others but not as much to me.
There are keys to health, keys to success, keys to good relationships, etc., as there are keys to spiritual things. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus tells Peter that He will give him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. In Revelation 20:1, John sees an angel coming down from heaven and in his hand are the keys to hell. With such a myriad of keys how do I choose the right one to access the things of God? Is their a literal key to heaven? If so, then what does it look like and where can I find it? These are questions that I have asked myself and maybe you have as well. What I would like to suggest to you is one simple answer to these questions. The key to the kingdom of heaven is obedience to the word of God.
Genesis 4 tells the story of Cain and Abel. Because of his obedience, Abel’s sacrifice to God was accepted but Cain’s was not. Genesis 12 documents Abraham’s obedience to the call of God which eventually birthed an entire nation. In Deuteronomy 28:1-14, God’s promise to the Israelites of abundance and prosperity is contingent upon them turning from their rebellious ways and obeying the commands of God. When Jonah obeys the word of the Lord to go preach to the city of Nineveh, Jonah 3, the king and all his subjects listened and obeyed. God extended His compassion to them rather than the destruction He had threatened. At the temple where the Sadducees arrested the apostles for preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus in Acts 5, Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men” (v. 29).
God delights in obedience. He accepts our repentance but loves when we obey. King Saul thought that he could go against the specific command of God and then make a sacrifice to regain God’s favor. But God rejected him as king and gave his kingdom to a young boy named David. Samuel’s immortal saying, “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 12:22), is the first step of the Christian walk. Obedience is not just the key to the kingdom of heaven but the key that accesses every promise of God. To love God is to obey God (1 John 5:3), and the abundant life that you have been searching for is directly related to your obedience. Take hold of this key and with it unlock the glory of God. I promise, God will pour out on you so much of Himself that you will be completely overtaken and your life forever changed.
Blessings,
D
November 13 - My Friend
One of my favorite biblical personalities is King David. In various ways I identify with him and from time to time I will share insights that I have gleaned from his life. David was a man of passion and sensitivity just as much as he was a warrior. His friendship with Jonathan leaves us a great example of how men can share intimate godly relationships.
1 Samuel 18-20 gives a brief look into their relationship. Jonathan was not just David’s friend; he was a gift from God. They truly loved each other in a godly sense so much so that verse18:1 says their souls were knit together. Let’s look closer. The Hebrew word nephesh (soul) can be translated as the mind. Qashar (knit) is to join together in love. David and Jonathan loved one another to the point that their minds became one. This is powerful! I imagine that when David met Jonathan he had no idea how significant their meeting would be. What may have appeared to be the beginning of a wonderful friendship was instead the orchestrated plan of God. Jonathan, translated God given in Hebrew would be the man who would eventually save David’s life and aid in establishing his kingdom.
When I first read this passage as a child I remember saying to myself, “I want a friend like this”. Many years of my life were spent searching trying to find someone to emulate the friend Jonathan was to David. I have become great friends with a few people but none of these friendships mirror this biblical example quite enough for me. Left unsatisfied I thought that it would never happen. Then I met Jesus. We became fast friends and have since built the relationship that I could not and would not find with anyone else. I had no idea when I met him how significant our meeting would be and that God had used Him to save my life and aid in establishing His kingdom. It was the orchestrated plan of God. Now I love him to the point that my mind is becoming one with His. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”. This is the goal of our relationship and He wants it for me more than I could ever want it for myself.
The lesson here is do not waste precious time looking to fill a space that can only be filled by Jesus. He has completely changed my life and can and will do the same for you if you allow Him to. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If He is already a friend of yours I’m so glad that you know Him but if not, please allow me to introduce you: John 10:11.
Blessings,
D
October 22 - The Process
I often find myself reading the account of the Israelites journey from Egypt to Canaan and no matter how many times I trace their steps I am captured by a new thought or a different perspective. My last reading was not excluded. What grabbed me this time in Numbers 14 was a lesson I hope to never forget and will always share.
Having endured four hundred years of slavery, one would think that the Israelites would be overjoyed to leave their bondage and journey to the land God promised. Because they saw the very hand of God daily, it seems their utmost confidence would lie in His sovereign will to parent, protect and provide for them. However, when faced with the challenge of taking what was theirs, they quickly forgot their purpose and destiny. They allowed the enemy to infiltrate their thoughts of God’s love for them, which in turn produced thoughts of doubt and lead to complete and utter wickedness. So far removed from their relationship with God, they thought it would be better for them to return to the place of suffering rather than continue in their purpose and reach their destiny. They wanted the promise but despised the process.
In my daily life, so much of my time has been spent doubting what I already know. God has called me to ministry and uses my gifts and talents as tools to further His cause. When the enemy challenged my call and attacked me on my journey, I too forgot what God promised and wanted to give up. I have learned that my relationship with God does not exempt me from the pressures of walking in my purpose but it does afford me the luxury of resting in His arms when I am weary. Anything worth having is worth fighting for and I have determined in myself that my destiny is worth the fight.
So if you are where I was; afraid of the journey from your past to your purpose, don’t be. Expect the challenges and meet them with the word of God. Walk in whatever it is God has called you to despite your fears. You won’t be afraid for long. God will add courage with each step you take. Fear is present when we depend on our own ability but it subsides when we completely trust in God.
Go on. Take that first step. You will never experience joy until you’re on the journey. True joy is only known in the will of God. I’ll see you there.
Blessings,
D