Archive for May, 2011

[33]  And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33 ESV)

Have you ever wondered how far is to far when it comes to straying from God? Ever felt guilt and shame to the point that you no longer felt you could come back?

You didn't feel that way because HE made you feel that way. You can never stray so far that your Father in heaven quits loving you with a love deeper than earthly minds can comprehend.

In the above verse King David mourns the death of his son, Absalom. The circumstances surrounding his death show us the depths of a father's love:

• Absolom fled his father, David, and Jerusalem after having his brother Amnon killed for raping his sister, Tamar.
• Even though he fled, "the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead." (2 Samuel 13:39 ESV)
• After David allowed Absolom back into the city he (Absolom) "…stole the hearts of the men of Israel." (2 Samuel 15:6 ESV), betraying his father.
• Absolom declares himself King (2 Sam 15:1-2).
• David ends up having to leave the city, essentially running for his life (again).
• Absolom has sex with his fathers concubines on the roof of his father's house for all of Israel to see – the ultimate betrayal.
• As David's numbers grow they eventually went to battle with Absolom's forces and he ends up dying in a very unhonorable way. 

Absolom's death meant David was safe, he could now go home and assume the kingship that was stolen. But David wept for his son and even wished he could have died in his place after all that Absolom had done against him.

Now that's love. And God loves you even more than that.

• Young man who strayed from your parent's plan and finds yourself struggling with the pain of addiction: God can and has forgiven you – life forgiveness begins with Him. 
• Young lady who gave yourself away only to find that he used you and wasn't worthy of you: God can and has forgiven you – a new purity will come from a new relationship with Jesus. 
• Husband who betrayed your wedding vows: God can and has forgiven you – He longs for you to receive it – THIS is where restoration of your family begins. 
• Mother who has placed everything before Jesus and feels worn and ragged: Jesus is waiting for you to fall at His feet that He might restore your soul.

You can't make him stop loving you. Maybe you should stop running from Him. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV) 

I believe it. You should too because it will change your life!

Is it me or is it easy to get discouraged when you just aren't hitting the mark spiritually? Peter knew this discouragement first hand:

[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. [27] And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ [28] But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” [29] Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” [30] And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” [31] But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same. (Mark 14:26-31)

[69] And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” [70] But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” [71] But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” [72] And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:69-72 ESV)

This is Peter. Jesus' "boy"! You know, Mister "You are the Christ…". Mister, "Jesus, if that's You walking on water command ME to come to You" (which he did – Peter stood on water). How could someone who was so close to Jesus, someone who had experienced all the Peter had fail so greatly. And knowing that Jesus knew Peter would fail (Mark 14:30) why did Jesus still choose him to lead His Church?

[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 ESV)

Is that as amazing to you as it is to me?

Here's the deal, we all fail. You may try hard and may be winning in many ways but you aren't "there" yet. God knows that. God uses broken people. God isn't looking for you to be perfect, He's looking for you to be His – to be surrendered to Him, to be emptied of yourself so that HE can fill your emptiness with Himself.

Can I point out an obvious: there is failure and sin in the church! Every week Vertical Church  has people coming who don't have a relationship with Jesus. Sinners! I'm proud of it! We straight up let sinners come to Vertical Church – I'm thankful they want to come. By the way, that's why we are here!!! I am not burdened that there are people in our church who live a sinful lifestyle, I'm glad they are coming and learning; I hope they are drawing closer to receiving Jesus. What grieves me is when I learn that people who are supposed to be followers of Jesus are living out a sinful lifestyle.

(By the way, all churches have sinners in them – there are just some who have forgotten that they are because they have learned to overlook the sin they see as minor in their life.)

I know that God has called the Church to be His holy bride which is why we are constantly pushing the believers and challenging them to draw near to God. We want to help the saved to be passionate about Jesus so they can lead others to Jesus. However, people fail. They miss the mark (Romans 3:10). Often times the church tends to cast off and leave our members who fail instead of helping people get back on track. Shall we never forget that Jesus loves imperfect people, people like His buddy Peter whom He met with AFTER Peter had denied that he even knew Jesus; Jesus said to Simon Peter:

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” …“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep…  And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Let's continue to encourage people to draw closer to Jesus, especially when they fail. That's what Jesus would do.