LORD, SEND THE RAIN!

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."

- Isaiah 44:3

As I write this, we are experiencing a dry spell here in West Virginia.  Technically, we are not in a drought, but we have had an extended time without rain.  Such conditions make these mountains vulnerable to brush fires. 

I trust that this dry spell will end soon, but the greater concern is the spiritual condition of this area.  I believe that we are experiencing a spiritual drought here in these mountains ... and not just in these mountains, but also across our country. 

What about you?  Are you going through a spiritual drought?  How long has it been since you spent quality time in God's Word?  When was the last time you wept for lost souls?  Can you honestly say that you are walking close to God right now?

The people of Israel knew about spiritual droughts.  Often, they would face severe consequences for their sin.  Their droughts would often last many years.  God spoke to Israel and offered a glorious promise:  "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."  The promise of cool water was an exciting prospect for thirsty souls. 

If you are going through a spiritual drought, I think there are some things we can learn from Israel's experience.

1.  RECOGNIZE YOUR PLIGHT

First of all, recognize that you are going through a drought.  A person can go through a dry spell for a while without realizing it.  Eventually, the signs of a drought become obvious. 

Sadly, some seem oblivious to their situation while others try to pretend that all is well.  The best thing you can do is to be honest with yourself and God.  If you are going through a spiritual drought, admit it.  While we need to admit that we are going through a drought, it doesn't mean that we should resign ourselves into staying there.  We should never be content to live in a drought. 

2.  RELY ON GOD'S POWER

Secondly, we need to rely on God's power.  When God spoke to Israel, He made it very clear that He had the power to end a drought.  He is the One who controls the water faucets of heaven.  He can cause rain to fall on a desert.  Regardless of the duration of your drought, it is time for you to look to God for rain.  Showers may fall in your life at any time!

3.  REST ON GOD'S PROMISE

Finally, it is time to trust the Lord.  You don't have to stay in a drought.  Get back in God's Word and stand on His promises.  In our text, God promised rain for the dry land of Israel.  He's the One who sent the rain in Elijah's day after a three and a half year drought. He's the same One that promised showers of blessing in Ezekiel's time.  Also, remember that He brought spiritual rain on the day of Pentecost.  He can bring the rain in your life, too!

The only thing worse than being in a spiritual drought is remaining in a drought.  Right now you can look up to the One who can end your drought.

Perhaps you could be soaking wet by the end of today!

FINISHING WELL

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

- 2 Timothy 4:7

When I was in elementary school, each year my school would hold a "field day" event for the kids, usually at the very end of the school year.  Individual and team events would be conducted during "field day."  One of the team events was the 440-relay.  Each homeroom had four of their fastest runners compete.  One year I was the second runner on my team.  The first runner on my team was obviously inexperienced at running such a distance.  He started running fast ... but then ran out of steam.  He started well but he didn't finish well.  Our team never recovered from his disastrous run.  We finished third ... which wouldn't be so bad, but there were just three teams.

That event has remained in my memory all these years.  It taught me a valuable lesson:  it is not how well you start, but how you finish that really matters.  Many great men had a rough start in life, but they finished well.  On the other hand, we've all known men who were very successful, but then failed miserably near the end.  When we hear the name, Richard Nixon, we normally think about the Watergate scandal.  When we hear the name, Jim Bakker, we typically remember the scandal that ended the PTL Club & led to his incarceration.  These examples prove that when a person fails greatly, people tend to remember the failure rather than the good deeds that preceded it. 

As I thought about the rest of my life, I knew that there was one goal I needed to concentrate on:

I WANT TO FINISH WELL

I don't want to be remembered by a blunder I made near the end of my life.  Instead, I'd prefer to be remembered as a Godly man who finished well.

The Apostle Paul was a man who finished well.  As he wrote his final words to Timothy, Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  Paul was going to finish well.  

As we consider how Paul finished well, we learn how we can do the same.

1.  BE FIERCE

Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight."  We are in a spiritual war.  Every day we have an enemy that opposes us.  This foe fights us tooth and nail as we seek to glorify God.  Don't think for a moment that the warfare eases as we near the finish.  The devil will fight us all the way to grave.  We must fight him fiercely every moment, every day.  Paige Patterson once said, "You can't coast for a single day."  We can't afford to be complacent when the enemy seeks to destroy our testimony and those dearest to us.  Be fierce ... all the way to the end.

2.  BE FOCUSED

Paul also wrote, "I have finished my course."  Like a runner, Paul was about to cross the finish line.  Earlier I mentioned that I liked to run when I was younger.  One thing I learned about running is this:  we can only be successful if we keep our eye on the finish line.  If a runner turns to look at spectators or look back to see other runners, he loses time and can easily stumble.  Paul kept focused on the finish line.

When we consider that judgment looms ahead, it gives us fresh incentive to finish well.  Stay focused!

3.  BE FAITHFUL

Finally, Paul wrote, "I have kept the faith."  If we want to finish well, we must be faithful to the end.  Our salvation is not contingent upon our faithfulness, but the Lord's faithfulness.  We should be faithful till the end for several reasons.  First, we will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ soon and we want to be found faithful in the stewardship entrusted to us.  Secondly, we want to receive a full reward on that day.  Third, we want to leave a heritage behind for those who follow us.  We want others to be inspired to be faithful themselves. 

Being faithful is more than attending church occasionally.  Faithfulness requires continual obedience and devotion to God. 

Be fierce.  Be focused.  Be faithful. 

That's how you finish well. 

  

THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.  Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away." - Proverbs 27:9-10

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield once quipped, "I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me.  He said I was being ridiculous --- everyone hasn't met me yet."  His joke is a reminder that relationships can be difficult at times.  Yet without relationships, life would be a lonely, horrible experience.

We are, to some extent, impacted by our relationships.  It is said that a wife begins to look like her husband after a few years of marriage.  If you keep company with a person, you tend to pick up on some of his or her quirks and mannerisms. 

Apart from our relationship with God, there is nothing more precious than the relationships we have with our family members.  Though sometimes these relationships may get strained, we would still do nearly anything we could for the members of our family.

Realizing the tremendous importance of relationships, I made this one of my seven life goals:

I WANT TO INVEST IN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

I use the word, "invest," to describe the time spent with those I am closest to.  I feel that there are special dividends that we reap personally by spending time with those who are special to us. 

While there are some relationships you can't choose (such as family, co-workers and neighbors), you should be selective about the relationships you can choose.  Let me make a few recommendations:

1.   INVEST IN HAPPY RELATIONSHIPS

There are many people who will drain you emotionally.  You feel depleted after spending just a few minutes with them.  Others are constantly down ... and they want to drag you down with them.  There are some who want people to feel sorry for them all the time.  It is tough to hang around such people.  I think it is better to spend your time with people who make you laugh.  Hang around those who make you feel better about life.  Befriend those who bring out the best in you.

2.   INVEST IN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Some relationships are toxic.  Destructive relationships are to be avoided at all costs.  Stay away from those who are violent, full of hate and critical.  Life is short enough already.  Don't throw away your life by being with such people.  Psalm 1:1 states, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers."  Be picky about whom you hang around with.  Furthermore, stay away from those who are manipulative.  If you wish to live a healthy life, keep company with good people.  A healthy relationship is one where you enjoy spending time with them and vice versa.  A healthy relationship consists of respect and kindness.  In the Bible, David & Jonathan represent a healthy relationship.  The two men were great friends and mutual encouragers.  Invest in such a healthy relationship yourself.

3.   INVEST IN HOLY RELATIONSHIPS

Finally, spend time with those who inspire you to be a better Christian.  Find a mature believer and spend time with him or her.  Learn from the wisdom that is available from godly men & women.  If you wish to walk closer to Jesus, spend time with someone who models that lifestyle himself.  You'll be enriched by such a relationship.

Someone has aptly said that a relationship is like a bank account.  When you treat someone with love, kindness and consideration, you make a deposit in the relationship.  If you hurt or offend someone, you make a withdrawal from the relationship.  Some relationships are bankrupt because one or both people have overdrawn from the account.  You see, while it is good to hang around with happy, healthy and holy people, you must ask yourself, "Am I a person that others would want to spend time with?"  If the answer is no, then you need to work on your people skills and improve the relationships you have.  A relationship is a two-way street.  If you don't put anything into a relationship, you shouldn't expect the other person to contribute much either.  Live in such a way that people are glad to see you coming and sad to see you leaving.  

Life is too short to live it alone.

EXPERIENCING PERSONAL GROWTH

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 3:18

The concept of growth is one that we know very well.  We watch babies grow up to be adults.  We observe a seedling become a plant.  We notice when the grass grows in the yard. 

What about you?  Are you growing?  If you're an adult, physical growth has peaked (unless you are putting on extra pounds!).  It is one thing to grow physically; it is another thing to grow as a person.  Pastor James MacDonald once said, "You're only young once, but you can be immature for life." 

Most people are content with their present state of maturity.  In fact, they have a false belief that they are very mature when they actually have so much more growing to do.  When I thought about the rest of my life, one of the seven things I felt led to emphasize is this:

I WANT TO GROW TO MY FULLEST POTENTIAL

I must confess that this has been a struggle.  Personal and spiritual growth is not easy to gauge.  Yet here are some things I am learning:

1.  GROWTH IS A PROCESS

When it comes to growth, I don't think a person ever "arrives" at full maturity.  Instead, growth is a lifelong process.  Those who are serious about growth embrace this process. 

2.  GROWTH IS DIFFICULT

Growth requires hard work.  That is why most people aren't growing.  Instead, they are content with their present status and refuse to push themselves toward a new goal.  Our natural tendency is to take an easy road in life.  Growth requires us to leave our comfort zone and try new things.  Growth is never easy, but the dividends are worth the effort.

3.  GROWTH REQUIRES DISCIPLINE

A person must discipline himself to take the necessary steps to grow.  The Apostle Peter challenged believers to, "... grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  Notice that there are two parts to the growth process:  learning and experience.  When we grow in grace, we find that growth occurs through our experiences.  When we grow in knowledge, we find that growth is part of a learning process.  Learning & experience are vital aspects of our personal & spiritual growth.

4.  GOD IS GLORIFIED WHEN WE GROW

Only God can bless us with growth.  When we grow, it is an obvious tribute to His grace and mercy.  The Lord expects us to grow in our faith.  He intends for us to grow emotionally and relationally.  As we grow in maturity, it testifies to others that God is actively working in our lives.

As a Christian, you should desire to grow spiritually, personally, emotionally, relationally and professionally.  Don't let your life get stuck in a rut.  Don't be content with superficial results. 

Let me close by giving some practical suggestions.  First, be patient.  Growth can be a slow process.  Secondly, network with growing people.  When you are around growing people, it tends to encourage you in your growth.  Third, don't let fear hinder your growth.  When we focus on the fear of failure, we quit growing.  A growing person experiences failures and sometimes learns more from failures than successes.  Fourth, learn by reading.  Growing people are always reading.  You won't grow spiritually if you refuse to read your Bible.  You won't grow professionally, if you refuse to read magazines, journals and manuals that are written for your trade.  Next, learn from others.  Older people can provide you with a wealth of wisdom if you'll learn from them.  Sometimes I deliberately listen to podcasts and conversations from those I disagree with, so I can understand their perspective.  I sometimes learn from those I disagree with.  Finally, you're never too old to grow.  It should be your goal to continue growing until you leave this world.  You still have room to grow, so keep growing!

The Gospel of Luke gives us insight into the growth of Jesus, stating that He, "... grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him" (Luke 2:40), and "... Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52).  Jesus modeled growth for us.

I've known people who quit growing.  It is sad to look at their lives.  Once they were vibrant and excited.  Now they are downcast and apathetic.  Once their lives were abounding with God-honoring fruit, but now they have a life of weeds.  I don't want my life to become like that.

I want to grow to my fullest potential.  What about you? 

BEING A GENEROUS PERSON

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Lord has been good to me.  I have been a recipient of His boundless grace.  God has blessed me abundantly in more ways than I could ever count.  I could never repay Him for the blessings of today, yet alone the previous days. 

How can someone so blessed be so stingy?  I have to admit that when I walk in the flesh, I am stingy person.  Rather than being a kind man who shows grace to others, I can easily be uncaring and selfish.  That is a brutal, but honest appraisal.  Apart from Jesus, I am stingy.

In recent years, the Lord has been working on this area of my life.  Several years ago, I was listening to the audio book, "Radical," by David Platt.  While listening to the CD, I felt challenged to make some changes to my approach to money.  Additionally, I have felt my heart stirred to be more generous after listening to several sermons by Pastor Johnny Hunt.  Because of that, I have this as a goal for the rest of my life:

I WANT TO MODEL GENEROSITY

I can't say that I am the poster-boy for generosity, but I want my money to honor God & help people.  As a Christian, I give, first and foremost, to my local church.  Now I have expanded my giving to include ministries that I strongly believe in. 

Let me a share a few things that I have learned while giving.

1.  GENEROSITY IS ABOUT YOUR HEART, NOT YOUR MONEY

I know it is easier to give when you have a larger income.  However, the real issue is not the size of your bank account, but the size of your heart.  You see, if you were stingy with a little bit of money, you'd still be stingy if you had a lot of money.  Jesus commended the widow who cast two mites into the treasury.  His praise of the widow was not based on the amount she gave, but the degree of her giving.  She didn't have much, but she gave what she had.  One time the Apostle Peter encountered a man who was begging for money.  Peter said to the man, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."  Peter didn't have money, but he gave what he had.  Sometimes generosity is measured in other ways rather than money.  You can generously give of your talents.  You can generously give of your time.  Generosity, or the lack thereof, is a reflection of your heart.  If you've received abundant grace from God, shouldn't you be an agent of grace every day? 

2.  GOD BLESSES GENEROUS PEOPLE

While I strongly disagree with the prosperity gospel that is being taught by some televangelists, I do believe that God blesses those who give.  God blesses us as we open our hearts ... and our wallets ... for His glory and the sake of others.  Proverbs 19:7 says, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."  God blesses us when we bless others with our giving.

3.  GENEROSITY IS A REFLECTION OF LOVE

In 1 John 3:17, the apostle asked this poignant question:  "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"  If you have the resources to help someone in need, but refuse to help, it is a reflection of a cold, unregenerate heart.  God's love compels us to love others in His Name.

4.  GENEROSITY IS AN ACT OF GOOD STEWARDSHIP

God has entrusted many things to our care, including money.  As guardians of this trust, we should recognize that we are accountable to God for the money in our care.  Have you ever wondered how Jesus would spend your money?  That is a question that really challenges me, what about you?   I believe that when we stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, our finances will be among the things that will be judged.

5.  GENEROSITY CAN LEAD TO EVANGELISTIC OPPORTUNITIES

Christians have a reputation for being stingy, especially at restaurants.  When a waitress works hard to serve you, she deserves more than just a pittance.  I try to be very generous when I give a tip.  Additionally, I like to include a Gospel tract that has THANK YOU in large print on one side.  The other side of the card expresses gratitude for the service and shares the message of the Gospel.  A while back, I included this card with a tip.  I watched from afar as the waitress read the Gospel tract.  What a blessing!  Keep in mind that I do not give a Gospel tract as a substitute for a generous tip, but I give it along with a generous tip. 

6.  MORE MONEY SHOULD LEAD TO MORE GIVING

If the Lord blesses you with a pay raise, an unexpected bonus or an inheritance, it may be that He expects you to use this extra money to bless others rather than wastefully spending it all on yourself. 

7.  WE MAKE ETERNAL INVESTMENTS THROUGH OUR GENEROSITY

On this side of heaven, we will never know the impact our giving makes.  The Bible instructs us to lay up treasures in heaven.  How do we do that?  Here's a simple answer: invest in the things that are eternal.  We need to make those investments right now.  When we make eternal investments, we can be sure there will be eternal dividends waiting for us.

I want to be a generous man.  Furthermore, I want to inspire others to be generous, too.  I want to model generosity for others so they will utilize their finances for God's glory. 

What a better world we'd have if Christians were as generous as their Lord!