In the presence of God

What an incredible weekend, what an incredible God! Have you ever had an "Ahhh" moment? You know, the kind where there is something staring directly in your face but you don't even realize it's there?

For the past several months, there has been something stirring in my heart... "If you do your part, God will take care of the rest"... I know it's a Biblical truth, to my supprize I stumbled upon it about three weeks ago but didn't think to write it down...

Anyway, I have just been hearing it over and over in my spirit... to the point that I have been saying... "God, WHAT IS MY PART?!?" Tonight it hit me! James Montera, an evangelist out of Pueblo Colorado spoke at our church, and something he said hit me to the core...

He said, (and this is the Jacob paraphrase) "So often in the churches I see people running to God like selfish children, reaching into his pockets to find out what presents he has brought us next. There is no doubt that God has brought His children gifts of blessings, gifts of peace, gifts of joy... Really, His pockets are overflowing... Sadly, as often as he visits us ready to give us His gifts, He leaves with all those things still in His pockets. You see, as greedy Christians, instead of running to God, simply to be in His presence, we run to God to receive things from God. Like a father returning from business trips, bringing his children gifts... over time, those children, instead of saying 'Daddy, we missed you, we are so glad to see you', the begin to say 'Daddy, we missed you, where is our gift', and then just 'Daddy, where is our gift'. How sad is it that we ignore the giver and focus all of our attention on the gift!"... now this is where it got really good!...

He said "I have seen a lot of people seek after the 'things' of God, and leave unsatisfied... but I have never seen anyone seek after the 'presence' of God and not receive the 'things' of God along with it!"

And that's when it hit me!!! That's when I had my "Ahhh" moment... If I do my part, God will take care of the rest!!! So, what is my part??? To simply seek after the "Presence of God"!!! Forget the gifts, seek after the giver with everything that is in you, and the gifts will simply come!

Jen and I are pastoring the Children as well as the Youth and Young Adults! We need fresh ideas for the children, where will they come from? If we seek the presence of God, he will bring us fresh ideas and fresh vision like we have never seen before. We need to come up with gripping discussions and messages for the Youth and Young adults, where will they come from? If we seek the presence of God, His word will come alive to us, and we will NEVER run out of things to talk about! We need strength and patience to deal with these young people, where will that come from? If we seek the presence of God, His grace will abound in our lives.

I have so much more to say, but it's already 1:30 Monday morning and I have to go to bed. But, let me just leave you with this statement once again.. "I have seen countless people seek after the things of God and walk away empty handed... but I have never seen anyone seek after the presence of God and not receive the things of God"!

What's in a dream?

So, last night I had this crazy, yet very vivid dream... My wife and I were having this party at our house... well, it was more like a mix between our house and Jen's parents house... anyway, at some point during the party this kid, couldn't have been older than 14, who I didn't recognize got really upset in one of the back rooms... Needless to say he pulled a gun and tried to shoot the people around him. Thankfully he only grazed the arm of one, the rest were able to get out of the way. As I went running into the room, the kid stepped into the bathroom and proceeded to shoot himself. When I stepped into the bathroom I remember my spirit crying out.. "Nooooo! God, you can't let this happen! If he dies now he will end up in Hell!"... I stepped closer to him, and he was indeed dead, no pulse, no breathing. All I could think to do was pray... "In the name of Jesus" I said as I laid my hands on this boy, and instantly he took a deep breath... I stepped back, almost scared... "What happened? I was dead... My body was being torn apart...", he said quickly and out of breath. "God didn't think you were ready to die, He brought you back to live... He has a purpose for your life...", I replied. The kid jumped to his feet, and I took a couple steps back... he ran towards me and wrapped his arms around my neck... "No one has ever told me I had purpose... no one has ever believed I could do anything" He said as tears were rolling down his face. He proceeded to run though the house hugging every freaked out person, telling them how God brought him back from the dead and how He has purpose for everyone...

That's about all I remember... At this moment tears are running down my face. I don't know why I had this dream... I don't know what it means... A friend of mine told me that maybe I am supposed to pray for this kid... I don't even know his name... So if you are out there Kid, I am here, praying that God will restore the life in you, that He will show you purpose, that He loves you despite everything you have done or been through.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." -- Philippians 4:13 (NASB)