Deliverance To The Captives

I saw God at a Skatepark

So many people today are looking for God. Some go to churches, some try programs, some go to other countries; all are searching for the answer to one of life’s biggest question: Where is God?

The question, Where is God?, is almost a rhetorical question. It may be more logical to ask, where isn’t God? This is because God is Everywhere and can be found in everything (Psalm 139:7-12, Romans 1:20).

The question, Where is God?, more than likely wants to know: where is God moving? In other words, who’s life is being changed by God, where are the lost being saved, where can I see God’s hands? 

Today, I saw God moving at a Skatepark. Not in the sense that revival broke out and many were brought to Christ (however Great that would be), but I saw Him moving in the hearts of 3 people.

The first person was a young boy who just came to know Christ a few days ago. He doesn’t know much about the things of God, but He has so many Godly characteristics, its as if he’s been saved for years. I don’t work with people because I expect some unbridled form of gratitude, but to have someone be so grateful just because you spent time with them…words cannot describe. Matthew 18:12 comes to mind.

The second person was a friend of mine. He is 19 and reminds me so much of myself its like looking into a mirror from 4 years ago. His mannerisms, speech, hobbies, interests, etc all remind me of…me. He tries to hide curiosity towards the gospel, but I know that the seeds that have been planted so far will come to harvest (Isaiah 55:11). It is so refreshing to finally be able to work with someone who doesn’t know anything about the gospel. Its just like Jesus intended it to be…bringing the gospel to the world (gentiles).

The last person was another “friend” of mine, though he hasn’t made much contact. He prayed a prayer of salvation a few weeks ago, but it has been a slow battle to make contact with him. But tonight, God was all over him. He’s depressed, broken, hurt, and is in the perfect spot for a miracle. I’ve invited him to church, coffee, food, my house, etc, but the devil has been messing with his mind. Still, I keep believing that he will open up and want to talk and hopefully live out the salvation that he asked for.

Its strange to see God moving in three different people’s lives in one day, but maybe that is because I’ve limited God’s ability to move. I believe that tonight God made a loud and clear statement, that He is able to do far abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us (Eph. 3:20).

I thank God that He doesn’t stop working with us and is always letting us know that He will unleash a movement, not us. He did this today when I saw God at a Skatepark.

Notes from study…1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light”

Light is a reference to salvation in that salvation brings us into the presence of God and we enter into a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. God’s light is, in essence, Jesus Christ (John 8:12).

“We have fellowship with one another”

“We” is referring to Christians. The word fellowship means partnership or participation, communion.  So the phrase seems to refer to Christians who have communion, communication, and participation together.  This is quite true in that before we were brought to eternal life, it is unlikely that we had much “fellowship” with Christians and further more it is unlikely that we felt comfortable around True Religion.

This portion of the text almost seems like it isn’t suppose to be in this verse.  We can understand how the beginning of the verse, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light”, correlates to the end of the verse, “and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”, in that no man is able to enter into God’s light unless he is drawn to God by God and is born again through the blood of Jesus (John 6:44, John 14:6)

Understanding why John is relating “walking in the light” to having fellowship with other Christians is a bit of a challenge.  It seems as if John is adding “we have fellowship with one another” as a kind of side thought or tangent such as to say “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, and oh, by the way, this light allowed you to have fellowship with one another, and with God; and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin”.

                “and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin”

This portion of scripture sums up what we would call our Gospel less the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Matthew Henry says it best :

His blood applied to us discharges us from the guilt of all sin, both original and actual, inherent and committed: and so far we stand righteous in his sight; and not only so, but his blood procures for us those sacred influences by which sin is to be subdued more and more, till it is quite abolished, Galatians 3:13-14.

(from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

The entire verse could be summed up in layman’s terms as “Walking in the Light of God, which is Jesus Christ [living like Him and building a relationship with Him], allows us (Christians) to have fellowship [communion, participation, and communication] with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanseth us from all sin, giving us total and complete freedom from sin, as long as we choose to remain in His light (1 John 1:5).

it is appointed unto men once to die

Someone died today…someone I knew. That someone was a lady I work with. I didn’t know her very well, but I talked to her from time to time.

I can’t help but think back about the things that I talked to her about. Things of life or small talk, trivial things really. I remember mentioning my faith, but never got into discussions about salvation or the afterlife.

Its strange how our perception of a person changes after they die. When people are alive and breathing, we think that there is a hope for that person, A hope that they would one day bow their hearts to Jesus and live their lives for Him. But after a person dies, there remains no more hope. The reality of eternity sets in and the extent of what life really is. You never realize how much you care about someone until they’re gone and there remains no more chance for repentance.

The secularist thinks that if one is a “bad” person, such as a murderer, robber, etc, that their death will result in an eternity in Hell. This is because the worldly mind cannot comprehend grace and redemption through Jesus Christ. But what about the “Good” people. People who work hard and contribute to society and the economy. People who love their families and care for others. For those people, the secularist thinks that their death will result in an eternity of Heavenly peace.

Jesus Christ summed up Heaven and Death in one verse: John 3:3  “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.  So why do we question God’s word? The reason is because man hates the idea of anyone going to Hell. In this regard, man and God are on the same page. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  God gives us so many chances to repent and humble ourselves towards Him, but many times we walk away sorrowful.

Pertaining to those who die in sin, Christians say things like “they’re in the hands of a righteous God”. Maybe that is the only thing that can be said. I have known several people that died, most of which I believe were those that were saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and had been forgiven of their sins.  Today, that is not the case. I don’t know if this lady asked for Jesus’ forgiveness or repented from sins and that is what tears me up inside.

The hardest thing is reflecting back.  I know that she had been to church before as a little girl, but never got to ask if she had a personal relationship with Jesus. This lady was what society would call a “good” person, but I know that there are many “good” people in hell.  It is hard to even write this, knowing that I may have been able to make some sort of difference. But its too late now. There remains no more room for repentance. By now, the books have been opened and only God knows her fate. All I can think of now is this one verse:

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Heb 9:27

Our thoughts vs God’s thoughs

Why do we think it so necessary to tell God what we think? At times, I tell God what I think and He listens. But after I am done “ranting and raving”, He begins to show me what He thinks and challenges me to pursue His thoughts (Rom 12:2).

We are so prone to speak to God with a worldly perspective, but He always seems to show us the error of our approach and brings us to a place of surrender and repentance (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God is gracious with our thoughts because He looks at our hearts. If we come to Him with indignation and anger, He will quickly show us how small we really are (Job 38:4). But If we come to him with a heart that is contrite and desperate for His help, He WILL meet with us, comfort us in our need, correct us if we need it, and encourage us to face the challenges ahead. (Psalm 51:17)(2 Cor 1:4)(Jer 29:11)(Heb 12:6)(John 16:33)

In conclusion, we need to have our thoughts line up with His thoughts and His word. If we do this, we will reach a hopeless world, and they will see Jesus though us. (Heb 4:12)(1 Cor 2:11)

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.