Tag: Serve

Our Prayer

Today’s a new day! As we look at the news or scroll through social media, there is so much division. So I wanted to share the following this morning. ~OC

Dear God, our world feels so divided, even within families and friendships. Help us be a peacemaker in our relationships, building bridges instead of walls. Show us how to listen and understand with humility, allowing Your Spirit to guide our words and actions. May Your peace be the foundation of every connection. Amen. 

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”~Ephesians 4:3

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True Revival

Today’s a new day! The last several weeks, I have seen many social media post and heard many conversations about how America is in a Revival moment. I hope and pray that is the case, but I am not sure that’s what we are seeing. I desire to experience more than just a moment of Revival. No, I want to see a life changing movement that changes hearts and lives in a radical way.

Since 2019, God has woken me up most mornings with these three words: Miracles, Healings and Revival. But to understand what true Revival actually means, I believe all we need to do is look at the Book of Jonah.

I write the following not as a blog post, but as a prayer for America and the world.

The book of Jonah illustrates for us how God can transform and save an entire city in one day that is entrenched in wickedness, violence, and depravity. Jonah, the prophet of God, is called to go preach against the great city Nineveh, and instead of fulfilling his mandate, he flees to Tarshish aboard a ship. God decides to get Jonah’s attention through a massive storm and Jonah is thrown overboard, but yet is saved by grace in the most unusual and fascinating way…a great whale. We read where Jonah learns that “Salvation is of the Lord” and then is thrown up on dry land and is commissioned to preach a second time to this wicked city Nineveh.

In Jonah Chapter 3, we see five distinguishing marks of true repentance, revival, and spiritual awakening that serve to encourage us as we share the gospel across America and the world and in our desire to see God pour out revival throughout our communities.

The first thing we see is that God is most pleased to use the powerful preaching of His Word to see hearts radically transformed and for people to totally surrender their lives before Him. Jonah’s message was very simple, “Yet forty more days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!” In other words, God would utterly annihilate them if they did not flee the wrath to come by repenting of their sins. In Hebrews 4:12-13 we read, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” In every great revival in the history of the world, the preaching of God’s Word has been central. Notice how these wicked, violent Ninevites responded in Jonah 3:5: “And the people of Nineveh believed God.” They trusted wholeheartedly in the Lord for salvation because the preached Word had done its amazing effect in their hearts.

Secondly, when genuine revival comes upon a people, it is wide-spread and comprehensive. We see in Jonah 3:5 :“They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.” The entire city from the highest political leaders to the everyday citizen responded in repentance and faith toward the living God. When God pours out revival, it doesn’t just affect as small few, but impacts an entire community.

Thirdly, when God pours out revival, genuine repentance is evidenced by a heart transformation that is most demonstrated through mourning of sin and prayer. The message so “touched” the heart of the king, that he traded in his royal throne and stripped himself of all pride and position, and mourned in an ash heap. He grieved his personal sin and humbled himself before the Lord. In times of revival, sinners mourn their sin and cry out mightily to God in prayer. The king issues this command in Jonah 3:8, “and let them call out mightily to God.” I looked up the Hebrew word for “mightily” and it means with violent earnestness. Wow! When God grants revival, genuine repentance manifests itself in a wide spread prayer movement where people cry out earnestly to God and desire more of Him.

Fourthly, genuine repentance always bears fruit in that people turn from their sinful behavior. Notice that the king also says this in Jonah 3:8: “Let everyone turn from their evil way and from the violence that is in their hands.” Repentance means more than just feeling sorry for our sins and grieving over possibly getting caught. No, true repentance means that there is a genuine turning from our old ways of living and thinking, to completely trusting in Christ alone for our salvation and everything else in our lives. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10: “As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Lastly, in times of true revival, people come to the full awareness that they are totally dependent on the sovereign grace of God for salvation and cannot demand from Him anything. The king humbly and in brokenness declares in Jonah 3:9: “Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” The king doesn’t appeal to his rights as ruler, but totally understands the sovereign right of the living God to show mercy and compassion to whom He wants to show mercy and compassion. All we can do as sinners is to cast ourselves on the mercy of Jesus alone for our salvation.

As I close, I pray that God would pour out His Spirit of revival upon America and the world, where the Word of God is preached with boldness every Sunday in churches across the world. I pray that God would impact America and the world with spiritual transformation that is widespread and life changing. I pray that all of us would mourn the violence, hatred and division we see around us and cry out mightily to God in prayer that a powerful prayer movement would sweep across this dry land like a wildfire. I pray that we would all turn from our sinful ways and trust in the living God and that there would be true radical life change. I pray that God would pour out His mercy upon us in salvation through Jesus and that every single person in America and across the world would love and worship Christ the Lord. ~Amen

Thanks for taking the time to read this prayer. ~OC

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Love…It’s That Simple

Today’s a new day! As we end another week, I thought I would challenge my Christian brothers and sisters with the following question:

As followers of Jesus, what can we do about all of the issues the world is facing right now?

There are many different directions we could go in answering that question. But as I have sat and pondered this question, one thing stood out to me above everything else. What the world needs from Christians in this time of so much division is Love. It sounds so simple, maybe even a little cliches, but love is the most powerful and effective tool we possess. Love can unlock doors and hearts that have been closed for years. Love is every Christians primary calling from God (Love God and love people Matthew 22:37). So why are so many Christians not extending love to everyone that God brings into their daily lives? I believe it’s because so many Christians are just as hurt as the rest of the world is right now. I believe we all hate where the world is today. But the more Christians choose to express hate, the more division and negativity is spread.

I believe it’s time for Christians to step into the calling that God has placed in each of our hearts. That takes changing our attitudes toward those we disagree with. That means loving those who think differently than us. That means loving those who look differently than us. That means loving those who speak differently than us. That means loving those who worship differently than us. Here’s a big one; it means loving those who vote differently than us. God’s love commands us to love people for who they are, not for what they do. Let that sink in for just a moment. But what does that mean? As I continue my faith journey, God is constantly reminding me that I need to love everyone because He created them in His image, and Jesus came and died a brutal death on the cross for each and everyone of them, regardless of their lifestyles, actions and beliefs.

I believe the job of every Christian is to love people for who they are, not for what they do or don’t do.

Loving people for who they are is the way that Jesus loves each and every one of us. He showed that love while walking on this earth. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of Jesus loving people right where they were. The actions or the position of a person did not matter to Jesus when it came to loving them. All that mattered was that God created them. Loving people unconditionally is the example that Jesus set. In 1 John 4:19 we read these words, We love because He first loved us.”

Loving people unconditionally is not something that comes naturally for most people. It’s a daily choice. We have to choose to love the people in our lives that can be difficult to love. I encourage each of us to make a conscious effort to love even the most difficult people in our lives. Take a moment to think about those difficult people in your own lives. No matter what they believe, no matter what political party they follow, no matter the lifestyle they decide to live, love them because Jesus does. He gave his life for them.

As Christians, we have been called to live like Jesus and unconditional love is what we need to be showing the world.

Jesus died willingly on the cross so that we would be saved. Jesus died regardless of our views, beliefs, or our lifestyle choices. Even if we decided never to follow Him, Jesus still saw each of us as worth dying for. Now that is unconditional love. I believe every Christian is called to love others in the same way that Jesus chooses to love each of us.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, love always perseveres. Love never fails.” ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This world is currently in turmoil. This is a great time for Christians to step up and truly love people. All people! Regardless of where they’re at in life. So today, just love people and let Jesus do the rest. Have a great day! ~OC

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Marriage Vows

Today’s a new day! On this date twenty-six years ago, I had the honor of marrying my bride Laura. When we shared our vows on that Friday night we had no idea that the majority of our marriage would center around my health issues.

Like every newlyweds, we thought The big stuff, the hard illnesses, would come later in life. That definitely has not been part of our story.

I was taken by surprise when life-threatening illness hit our home – and even more surprised when it happened to me. Without any warning signs, I began experiencing severe fatigue and muscle weakness. Within a few months and after a number of tests, Laura and I were told I had several forms of crippling arthritis. Only to find out a year later, I was actually dealing with a very rare type of cancer. (only 2% of the population deals with this type of cancer). We had no idea how that diagnosis and then multiple life threatening diseases would become part of our everyday lives.

My wife Laura and I were still in our honeymoon season of our marriage. This kind of thing wasn’t supposed to happen. I felt helpless as Laura cared for me in addition to working her full-time job and working on her masters degree. While I was in the hospital, she stayed by my side, trying to work and get some rest in some uncomfortable chairs. Watching her husband struggle to just breathe at times.

Over the years, Laura has taken on most of the she household responsibilities. She makes meals, vacuums and chauffeurs me to multiple medical appointments. She does this all with a smile and encouraging words.

I was and still am blown away by how Laura continues to care for me all these years later. At times, I have found myself frustrated that I cannot do more to make her daily grind a little easier. Her kindness continues to overwhelm me.

As I reflect on this health journey we continue to walk together, it gives me a deeper appreciation of God’s purpose for marriage. Sacrifice is lived out in homes around the world as couples serve each other through illness, financial crisis and family issues. No matter their story, husbands and wives face opportunities to love without seeking anything in return. Why? So they can experience God’s heart through one another and live His love for one another.

Every opportunity we have to serve our spouse gives us the chance to live out the love story God crafted for us. He gave His Son so that we could have life. There was nothing we could give in return – nothing we could do to pay Him back. And yet He chose to give anyway.

Laura continues to live out her commitment to stand by me in sickness. She has more than fulfilled her marital vows – she has become a living illustration of God’s love. ~OC

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God’s Hope

Good morning! Over the years, I have enjoyed writing what I will loosely call poetry. So I have decided to share some of my “poetry” with you. Be kind.

A light in the darkness, a beacon so bright

God’s hope shines upon us, a guiding light

In times of uncertainty, it leads the way

A promise for tomorrow, of a brighter day

With faith as our anchor, we hold tight

Through life’s storms and trials, we allow God to navigate the night

God’s hope sustains us, a constant friend

A love that’s unwavering, till the very end

May God’s hope inspire you, uplift your soul

A reminder of love, that makes us whole

In His presence, we find our peace

A hope that’s eternal, a love that never ends. ~OC

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Bearers of the Mat

Today’s a new day!

“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at a home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.” ~Mark 2:1-4

I have always loved this story. It truly demonstrates the love of friends and our need for solid friendships. The four men in Mark 2, went beyond normal friendship and became “Bearers of the Mat.”

These four friends saw their friend needed a miracle in his life. They heard Jesus was in the area, so they decided to pick up their friend’s mat and get him to the Great Physician. We have no idea how far these four men had to walk carrying their friend, just to get to Jesus. No doubt they were exhausted by the time they reached the door of the house where Jesus was. There they found a new obstacle. The house where Jesus was speaking was beyond packed. But these four men persevered. Their friend needed a miracle and they were determined to get him to Jesus. Even if it meant carrying their friend to the roof and cutting a hole into the roof, so they could lower their friend into the room where Jesus was speaking. Can you imagine what a sight that must have been? What an amazing moment it must have been when after all that hard work, these four friends watched in awe as their friend was completely healed by Jesus. What a day of celebration that must have been.

Every time I read the story in Mark 2, two questions come to mind:

1). Do I have friends like these four men?

2). Am I a friend like these four men?

I pray we will all take the time to check our hearts as we reflect on these two questions. I truly believe Jesus wants each of us to serve one another willingly and wholeheartedly. Let’s become “Bearers of the Mat” ~OC

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Are You Willing?

Today’s a new day! A lot of people want to achieve success in life, but are you willing to do the following:

Are you willing to fight through the excuses?

Are you willing to fight through the challenges?

Are you willing to fight through the negative talk?

Are you willing to put in the work?

Are you willing to make sacrifices?

Are you willing to give it all up for God? ~OC

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Attitude of Gratitude

Today’s a new day! As we move through the busyness of life, it’s easy to look around at everything we do not have instead of taking the time to slow down and be thankful for everything we do have in life. In the coming days and weeks, I want to focus on having an attitude of gratitude.

As I have walked through this crazy beautiful health journey, I have made the choice to be grateful for the lessons and blessings I have experienced along the way. I believe that decision has transformed my life and hopefully a few other people along the way. As a Christian, I have much to be grateful for. I have been blessed with the gift of salvation through Jesus, I have the Holy Spirit living inside me and I have a loving God who cares for me and provides for my needs. But if I am not careful, I can start taking these blessings for granted and focus on the things I do not have.

That’s why it’s so important for us to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Living a life of gratitude can have a profound and positive impact on our overall health and our relationships with others. ~OC

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Breakthrough

Good morning! As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey the last twenty-three years, I have had many moments where I needed a breakthrough from God. As we walk into a new week filled with new challenges, I want to share some things I have done when I needed a breakthrough at different moments in my life.

Pray: This may seem obvious, but sometimes we get so caught up in the roller coaster of life we forget to pray.

But prayer should never be our last resort. It should be the first thing we do when facing challenges in life. We also need to call on some trusted friends to pray on our behalf.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” ~Psalm 130:5

Fast: When coupled with prayer, fasting is a powerful tool to use when you need a breakthrough. And fasting doesn’t mean you have to give up food. A fast is about sacrificing something, so you can clearly hear from God. He may asked you to give up social media, a hobby or tv. Some things do not break with just prayer alone. When you need a breakthrough, fasting is crucial to seeing it come to pass.

“So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.” ~Ezra 8:23

Build Your Faith: I’m just going to be straight up with you: Every breakthrough that I have personally experienced came from leaning into the promises of God. Thankfully, He is so gracious that He has not left us to figure out how to grow in our faith on our own.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” ~Romans 10:17

Be Patient and Consistent: As I share this last point, I must warn you that breakthroughs can take time. The breakthrough you need may not come the first time you pray – or the hundredth. It may take weeks or even years. We cannot control the time, but we know that God can. He is always faithful. Our part is to stay consistent. So keep on praying. Keep on fasting. Keep on listening to the word. Keep believing in God. Your day of breakthrough will happen in God’s perfect timing for you.

If you’re waiting for your breakthrough the best thing you can do is remember that it will come at the perfect time. So press in to God and be patient. Your Breakthrough is coming! ~OC

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The Broken

Today’s a new day! Jesus didn’t choose the perfect or the polished. He chose the bruised and broken. Let that sink in for a moment. ~OC

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”
‭‭~ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬ ‭

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