STAY

I get so angry at me.  I get so disappointed with me.  I’m like the cowboy who rides the bull in the rodeo.  I’m quick out of the chute but not much for the long run.  The fact that most of you are just like me and I’m not the only one does not support my cause. 

 

You’ve seen them, heck, you’ve been them.  You attend a moving worship service.  You hear a stirring message and God’s Spirit places conviction on your heart.  You fall at the feet of Jesus and ask for His help.  You make commitments that your life will change and you will do better.  And you mean it.  And you do it….for a while. You are quick out of the chute.  But you know what happens don’t you?  Trials come, temptations arise, hard times get you down, things don’t go your way and you find yourself right back in the same condition you were in at the onset.  Where is our “staying power”? 

If you are someone who has been raised in the church and are familiar with the Word of God there are a few chapters that you simply associate with certain topics.  For instance, if I say the 13^th chapter of I Corinthians you will think of “Love”.  If I mention the 11^th chapter of Hebrews you will immediately realize that I’m speaking of the “faith” chapter.  Luke 2 will automatically take your mind back to the Christmas story.  Well, I’ve added another one to my list this morning.  John 15 for me, from now on will be the “Staying” chapter.

Nine times in the first 10 verses of this chapter “the disciple whom Jesus loved” uses the Greek word “meno”.  It is translated in English as “abide”.  In the Chilton County vernacular it is simply “stay”. 

But our “stay” and God’s “stay” isn’t the same.  It should be, but it’s not.  When we say “stay” it is usually understood that there is a limit to our “staying”. When my little dog “Gracie” is told to “stay” on the porch, I know and she knows that she will stay there like she is told for a little while but we both know that if she is not reminded, soon she will get up and follow me. 

When we ask guest to come over and stay awhile.  We mean and they understand that we don’t want them to live with us forever.  We just want them to come and visit.  I don’t know about you but I don’t want that kind of relationship with God.  And you know what, He doesn’t want that kind of relationship either.  Listen to these words that Jesus said in John 14:16.

“I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide (there’s that word again) with you forever.” (The Greek word here is “aion” meaning eternally or perpetually).

When the Father gives us Himself in the being of the Holy Spirit it is not for a limited time.  It is not for just a while.  His intent, His desire, His purpose is to give us His Spirit  “anio” forever.  He wants to “abide” with us, stay “in” us forever. 

As I was running a few days ago this thought came to me.  We can have church without God.  We can teach Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and have preaching and singing without God ever entering the building.  We do it all the time.  But there are some things we simply cannot do  without God’s Spirit. 

I can’t come to God without God’s Spirit drawing me.  I can’t repent without God’s Spirit providing that repentant heart within me.  I can’t resist temptation without the Spirit of God providing the power.  I can’t witness with any effectiveness without the Holy Spirit’s anointing.  I can't live a Holy life as He has called me to live without Him providing the Holiness. I can't remain a part of His vine and bear fruit wihout Him. I can’t STAY unless He STAYS.

My prayer for me today, my prayer for you today is that you will ask God to give you His Holy Spirit to “stay” with you forever. If that’s what you want, know that it is exactly what He wants.  “Faithful is He that calleth you who will also do it”.  Amen and amen. 

THE DREAM

I started my lifetime of church attendance my first few weeks on this earth.  This journey has continued until the present time in which most would say I am well advanced in years.

If asked, I would have told you I understood prayer and knew how to pray.  But a recent event has made me question my prayer connection or at least my part in prayer.

A friend and co-worker of my wife has been enduring a battle with cancer for over a year.  We have been sending cards, emails, encouragements and prayers to him and his family throughout the time.  However, his condition seems to worsen.  Yesterday, he went into surgery to remove more tumors.  He came out of the surgery with the doctors stating that he would “get worse before he gets better”. 

Last night he lay in the intensive care unit fighting for his life and I lay in my comfortable bed at home.  But all night long I would wake and go to God in prayer asking for his comfort and healing.  But even as I prayed I didn’t really know “how” to pray.  Should I pray for his healing?  Should I pray that God would take him to his eternal home with Him?  Should I simply ask God to do “whatever”?  I was unsure how I should pray because I did not know God’s will for him.

Joel 2:28 tells us that in the later days “old men will dream dreams and young men will see visions”.  As an old man, although vivid, my dreams never seem to make much sense to me or have any meaning. However, the dream I experienced last night spoke clearly to me.  Let me share it with you.

In my dream, a pastor was preaching in a church service.  As he exhorted the message God had laid upon his heart to his congregation, his wife sat at the back of the church with their tiny baby. I’m not sure of the baby’s age however it was not yet at the age where he could talk.

As the father continued with his sermon the wife suddenly stood to her feet and held the baby out toward the father.  The little baby reached out his arms and loudly and clearly cried “Daddy”.  The minister stopped his message in mid-sentence and started moving toward the baby, an ear to ear grin beaming across his face.  As he moved toward the baby the entire congregation stood and applauded and cheered. 

I don’t know your take on this but here is what I gained from the dream. 

The child:  Recognized his father and longed to be with him.  He called out to him and reached for him.

The father:  Was over-joyed that his child called his name and immediately moved toward him.

The congregation:  When they saw the love and reaction of the father they rejoiced with him.

As a child of God my goal is to recognize my Father and long to be with Him.  When I require help, I need only “call out His name” to get an immediate response.  

When God’s children call out to Him, He is pleased.  He moves, often moves heaven and earth, to come to their aid.

When others see our relationship with our Father they will rejoice and praise Him.

I woke this morning still not knowing how to pray for our friend but I was so at ease knowing that all I have to do is cry out  to my “Daddy” and He will handle all my problems.