However, because I believe God has called my wife and I there for a week in July, we need to start praying that God would soften our hearts just as much as He softens those who we come in contact with while we are there.

A shocking discovery while studying the city’s many fascinating facts was the more than doubled percentage of abortions in NYC than the rest of the country.  The abortion rate median in American is 19%.  New York’s?  A whopping 41%!

Well over 87,000 pregnancies were aborted in 2009 alone.  Thats almost 90k people that God created with a plan and unique purpose.  More than 2 million were aborted in all of America in that same year.  People, this is genocide.  If anyone, anywhere murdered 2 million people in one year, Armies would be sent to cast down the murderers.  If even 87,000 people were cut down before their time, nations would rise against the evil doers.  Am I wrong?

Well, I believe there is an Army coming.  The fall of all great civilizations were marked by 10 things… any of these sound familiar America?

1. The breakdown of marriage and rise of divorce.

(According to enrichment journal on the divorce rate in America:
The divorce rate in America for first marriage is 41%
The divorce rate in America for second marriage is 60%
The divorce rate in America for third marriage is 73%)

2. The loss of the traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony.

3. Children are viewed as price tags, not blessings.

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. Ps 127:3-5

4. The rise of Feminism.

(Ten Lies of Feminism | Bible.org – Worlds Largest Bible Study Site)

5. Increased public disrespect for parents and authority in general.

With shows like The Simpsons and American Dad, and oldies like Married with Children parents are portrayed as stupid, unwitting idiots and their children as genius’.

6. Acceleration of juvenile delinquency, promiscuity and rebellion.

7% of children in America under 17 have been arrested for crimes committed.

7. Refusal of people with traditional marriages to accept their  family responsibilities.

8. A growing desire for and acceptance of adultery.

www.ashleymadison.com is a website where married men and women go to have adulterous affairs with other married men and women

9. Increasing interest in and spread of sexual perversions (homosexuality) and sex-related crimes.

10. Abortion of unborn children.

18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures[a]: ‘They hated me without cause.’

So, is it worth it?  To be hated?  To be treated with malice and contempt?  I for one believe it is.  You can be weak and give up, all races have losers and quitters.  Paul likened this life to a race, and I stand to agree.

1 Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

In this race, the competition is defeat itself.  Babe Ruth once said ” You can’t beat an opponent who won’t give up.”  Life is tough.  It’s full of tragedy and heartache.  It’s tiring, it’s wearisome.  Most times it is easier to throw in the the towel then it is to use it to wipe the sweat of your brow and push your way through.  But I am here to tell you, the prize at the end of the race is so worth it.  You aren’t just going for gold, you are going for streets made of gold.

Just as in a real race, the winner obtains a level of authority, don’t believe me?  Look at men like Lance Armstrong and Dale Earnhardt Jr.  They have the ability to mold and shape the world with their dreams and visions.  Often, those with authority fail to use it for good, but it is there.  At any time these men can call a press conference and the whole world will hear their words.  They can obtain front page news by doing something great or by folly.  They have authority.

In this race, Jesus promises us authority.

Lk 10:19

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Is it worth it in this life?  I think so.  In other passages we are told that we have authority over unclean spirits.  Combined, these verses tell me that as a follower of Christ, one who is running the race to win it, we have power over natural things like Snakes and scorpions (read Paul’s account of being bitten by a venomous snake in Acts 28).  And that we have Authority over ALL the power of the enemy, and unclean spirits; the supernatural realm.  Luke concludes by saying, and nothing shall hurt you.

The earthly benefits are vast.  Last night my wife and I were lying in bed.  She has been suffering from some unknown ailment – we are convinced it’s nothing to worry too much about, so I don’t want to sound dramatic; yet for her, it’s very uncomfortable.  Doctors haven’t been able to figure it out, she gets shakes and her heart races.  We prayed and nothing seemed to happen.  I got up and got her gatorade, because electrolytes seem to help sometimes.  I started falling back asleep and her shakes woke me up again.  I did what I could to muster up the strength to speak again but this time I changed my tone.  I began by praying, “Heavenly Father, I take authority over this thing.”  I continued to exercise my authority over this natural sickness, and the supernatural enemy who has placed it on her.  Then I thanked God for filling the emptiness with peace.  Do you know what happened?  It went away
instantly.  I started falling asleep again, but I woke myself up and asked her if she thanked Jesus.  She said, “yes”, and we both went back to sleep until morning.

You want Authority, start running to win.

Also, no one had any thoughts on the last video I posted?

Our lives will be riddled with pain and heartache.  There will be sickness, death and poor circumstances.  We will face financial struggles.  Marriages will have rough patches, kids will rebel.  We will face lay offs and unfair things will happen.  These are exterior circumstances, they affect our happiness.  It is human to be sad, it is human to get upset.  I had such a problem with the book of Psalms a couple years back.  It seemed like David was just such a whiner.  It never stopped, I got depressed listening to his moaning.  But, after maturing a bit in Christ, I realize that this is what God desires of us.  He created us with emotion for a purpose.  The word says that we were made to worship Him.  By sharing our emotions in a Godly way, we are doing what we were made to do.

When David called out in Psalm 22,

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.

was he sinning?  No, God longs for us to be transparent with Him.  He knows our thoughts before we speak them; but He wants us to speak them.  To get them out and hand them over to Him is the goal.  He wants to know that we trust Him enough to ask the hard questions.

David goes on in the next verse,

Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
⁴In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
⁵To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

He complained to God and then elevated Him above the circumstance.  The second portion is the example of JOY.  In David’s unhappiness he cried out to God, but in his JOY he praised Him.

Know that you will suffer great things, John 15:20 says,

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

But know also that JOY is a fruit of the Spirit of God that lives within you.  It is always there, it is your job to tap into it.  Pray God will give you a new measure of JOY today.  Regardless of your surroundings; choose to praise Him and receive the JOY of the LORD!

I believe it is our fault as Christians.  I don’t believe that we as believers give unbelievers any indication that we are happy with the choice we’ve made to follow Christ.  When a non-christian can go to a bar on a saturday night and have a blast getting drunk and hanging out with happy people doing “fun” stuff, why would they want to come to a church where everyone is somber and depressed looking?

Sunday morning should be family getting together to honor their Father.  Church was designed to CELEBRATE what Christ did for us.  Especially Easter.  I need to know where American Christian’s joy is?  Because my Bible says that the JOY of the LORD is our STRENGTH.

David writes, “You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. Psalm 4:7″

He saw what I saw.  He saw a bunch of people experiencing joy when they were partying and eating and drinking; but He recognizes that the LORD has given us unending JOY.  People should crave the thing that we have.  They should see us from afar and notice an unspeakable joy upon our faces.

I have a very good friend who I’ve once described as “the smile with a body”.  When he isn’t smiling I get concerned for him.  I ask “what’s wrong??”  I’m so used to seeing him with the joy of the LORD on the outside that when it isn’t visible I know something is amiss.  That should be us… perpetually.  SMILES WITH BODIES.  The first thing people should see when they look at us is JOY, then when they are able to dissect the reason for our joy, they should recognize CHRIST.

This Easter, invite someone to church.  If you go to Trinity West (www.trinitywest.org), grab a yard sign or door hangers from the office; they are available for free.  Tell a co-worker to take the plunge.  Ask God to allow you to view people with His eyes.

Matthew 4:17 (NLT) From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Jesus taught us that we need to repent to find Salvation.  So, what does repent really mean?  It is an act of asking forgiveness that requires a 180 degree turn from sin.  That’s it right?  Repent?  Well, not quite.  He also teaches this…

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

²¹Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²²Jesus said to him, ”I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

²³“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.²⁴When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’²⁷And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,  and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³²Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵ So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

This tells us that we MUST forgive.  Another passage of scripture says, “Forgive that you may be forgiven.”  If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us.  I see scripture that teaches that plain as day.  There’s no grey area there for me.  So search your heart and find forgiveness for those who have wronged you.  Then you will be forgiven.  And the great news?

When we forgive, we find forgiveness which brings freedom!  Galatians 5:1 says. “¹It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

That means that Jesus didn’t set us free to gain brownie points with Dad.  He didn’t die for us to grow His church.  He didn’t just want more money in the bucket as it passes by.  He didn’t die for any other reason but to set us free!  What happens when you get free?  JOY!

What do you think the resounding emotion was for Paul when he was shackled in prison and suddenly found himself free?  I’d say joy!  When the chilean miners we freed after spending weeks cooped up underground, I’d be willing to bet that the number one feeling that engulfed those men’s hearts was Joy!

When we experience freedom from sin and bondage, we are to become joyful.  If you are saved, inform your face… smile every now and then!!!  Let people know that after forgiving others you opened up your own life to receive forgiveness and when you were forgiven you were set free, and when you became free you were filled with joy!

I had my own encounter weekend nearly 5 years ago.  I enjoyed it so much that I asked my Pastor to allow me to be a part of each one hence forth, and he obliged.  I have lead worship at everyone since, and this year I get a special opportunity, I get to teach one of the greatest stories ever told.  ”The Prodigal Son”.

Arguably the most famous story ever shared by the greatest story teller ever to live.  Jesus gives an account of a man with two sons.  The father is a shrewd businessman, saving and investing as to obey the words in proverbs telling us to store up an inheritance for our children and our grandchildren.

You’ve all heard the story, if you care to reread it, it is found in Luke 15.  By all accounts, this man was a great father.  He was extraordinary, or else Jesus would never have taken the time to tell his tale.

Sometimes in life, parents raise their children to live a life of folly.  Often, mothers and fathers teach their kids a lifestyle that ends in sin and death; whether it be bad role-modeling or neglect.  But, many times great parents can still yield unruly children.  This is the case in Luke 15.  We are given no information that is indicative of just reason for the son hating his father so.  The father is portrayed as an example of how we should act and he is representative of God.  Although this was a Godly man, good at business, loving to his children, still his son chooses to walk away.

We watch the story unfurl and I could only wish we had more time with it.  I anticipate the father’s reaction having been prayerful.  We know that the father waited by the road daily anxiously awaiting his son’s return… but what about the hours spent in prayer for him?  Clearly, it was God’s hand in the homecoming.

If you find yourself today faced with a similar situation, pray, pray, pray.  If your children are lost – expect them to be found.  If you are one of the lost; know that God is waiting patiently for you to come home… and guess what the story says happens next?

The father forsakes dignity.  He runs down the road, arms outstretched and grabs his son up in a big hug and the greek says he rained kisses upon him.  That’s our Dad.  That’s our God.