Are You An Actor, Or A Reactor?

Some folks tend to react to things in life. You know, they live in a closed world, and things go well until someone or something invades their realm just a bit. This provokes a reaction to the situation. And then others tend to "act" on principles that remove the impulse to "react" to people and things.

 

Let me ask you something. When you meet a stranger on the side-walk, or walking through the mall (or anywhere), do you wait on them to smile and greet you? If you're a waiter, you probably never give strangers a greeting, or a smile; unless they greet you first. Then you react to their greeting. I decided years ago, I was going to speak first. Not only to strangers, but to church members and co-workers as well. 99.99999% of the time I get a reaction. And of that percentage, 99.99999% is positive! I simply love that.

 

I know from working with people that most folks just don't love their jobs. So, especially early on in the day, most people are not in the best of moods. Knowing this, I make it a point to offer smiles and greetings, especially to those folks who seem to need them. I never get negative reactions. Sometimes they are less than energetic, but that's Ok because I accomplish my part to act, not always react.

 

I've had several opportunities to react to irate customers over the years. But listen to this. I have already decided what my response will be. Did you catch that? It's not a reaction, it is a response. I have determined that since I have to respond to an unhappy customer, I will respond in a predetermined, positive manner. Not because I always feel so positive, but because I know what a calm, positive response will do. This is what the Book says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh answer stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1) I have seen this truth displayed among we humans over and over through the years. A harsh word, provokes a harsh reaction. But after receiving a harsh, critical word from someone, what if we are prepared to "respond" with a gentle answer? I've seen many volatile situations diffused by a soft, gentle answer. Again, it's not always easy, but it works. And, in order to respond gently, you must determine beforehand that you will do so!

 

Truthfully, it is more difficult to be an actor, instead of a reactor. With our human nature comes the desire to defend ourselves when harsh words are launched our way. But those who live by God's Spirit, and His Word, are learning what the Golden Rule really means; and how incredibly powerful it is when applied in our lives. "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you..." (Matthew 7:12) Think about it. How do you want people to treat you? Well, treat them the same way! Jesus makes it possible as He lives in us and we allow Him to work in us.

 

Please remember this very simple statement. An actor is one who acts first, or has predetermined how they will respond to any harsh words. He or she acts or responds with principles from God's Word that remove the impulse to react. When we act, there is no need to react. And when we are prepared to respond positively, our response replace any negative reaction. Blessings!

Because I Can, I Will

You know, before I sat down good to type this post the enemy (the devil) was already telling me not to write, because it won't change anything. But let me tell you why I continued. Because I still can! Yep, I can still do it. And as long as I can, I will!

 

Lot's of good, Christian Americans have accepted the fact that things have changed so drastically (for the absolute, unadulterated worse) that why try to stand up or speak out? Here's why you should. Because you can! As long as you have a voice, things can change! They might not go back to the way things were, but they can change for the better. And never forget, the way things were can motivate us to change the way things are.

 

It's hard not to sound negative when you're speaking of negative things. But listen. America's deepest, most serious problem is not that our nation's leaders have gone from being incredibly corrupt incognito, to blatantly overt in it's corruption. I mean, things used to be swept under the proverbial rug in Washington in order that we the people would not find out about it. And when we did, some sort of justice was administered. But now, who cares! So then, the most serious, and the most dangerous problem is that we the people see it, know it, and tolerate it. It's time for the good ole average American person to simply stand up and say "enough!" Are you one of those?

 

For almost 8 years I have wondered how good Americans (especially Bible believing Christians) could support leadership that for all practical purposes, opposes everything good, just, and righteous. That's why I speak up, and speak out. I can! It's not so bad (yet) that you and I cannot stand up and speak up. I'm not saying to riot. Just stand up! Just speak out, when it is necessary! You will draw more criticism now than ever before. And the spirit of "political correctness" (a hideous demonic spirit), will screech out "You might offend somebody!" This is where I interject my own version of "Who cares!" I would rather NOT offend Jesus! If you and I stick to God's Word, we WILL offend someone, but we WILL NOT offend Jesus! That's all that matters to me. "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:33)

 

The absolute worse words anyone could ever hear are the words "Depart from Me, for I never knew you." Wow! I live my entire life, with the power of His Spirit, making sure I will never hear those words. And right now, in the land of America, we still have the privilege of speaking out for what is right. Yes, we must do it in love, just as Jesus did, but He never minced words. He always spoke the truth, and spoke it directly. And He always looked for the most opportune times to stand up and speak out! I will do that too. And since I can, I will! What about you friend?

Enough!

You've probably heard the story of David and Goliath, and how David killed Goliath with his slingshot and one, single stone. But this event from the Bible is much more than a kid's Bible story. There was a series of events leading up to this supernatural feat that recently spoke to my heart - loudly and clearly.

 

We find this event in the book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 17.  Israel's army had drawn up to the battle line against the army of the Philistines. Israel was on one mountain while the Philistines were on another mountain, opposite Israel. There was a valley in between.

The Philistine war champion, Goliath, who happened to be over 9 feet tall had issued a challenge to Israel. He would fight a champion from Israel to the death. If Israel's champion won the fight, the Philistines would serve Israel forever. However if Goliath won, Israel would serve the Philistines forever!

 

David, a teenager who tended his father's sheep, had already been chosen by God, and anointed by the prophet Samuel. He would stay out in the field a few days at a time, and then return home for a few days. One particular day Jesse (David's father) told David to take some supplies to his 3 brothers who were in the Israeli army. David arrived at the camp of Israel to find the entire army intimidated and fearful from the taunting of Goliath. Goliath was arrogant, boastful, and threatening. He was a well-armed military war machine, trained up from a very young age. And let's not forget...He was a really big dude. For 40 days and nights he had taunted the armies of Israel, causing them to become paralyzed with fear and dismay. 1 Samuel 17:23 says that David heard the words of Goliath. David's only response was anger, not fear. He wasn't intimidated, he got mad!

 

Back in 1 Samuel 13:14 it says, "The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart..." This was David. David was in constant pursuit of the heart of God because his heart was to follow after God. So when He heard this arrogant, boastful, boisterous Giant, taunting the armies that belonged to His God, it just riled him up! "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" Listen to this. Goliath had been reproaching the army (same as the people) of God, and David was the only one who recognized it. And again, he was the only one who was not intimidated, but rather got mad about it; so mad that he had to stop the nonsense!

 

Let me ask you. Do you ever become intimidated over the loud, boisterous, boastful nature of the world we live in? Do you look at the sin allowed in places where it shouldn't be and think, "It's too much! It's too powerful! What can I do?" Are you afraid to stand up for Jesus, and declare His truth in a world that literally hates Him more than ever? Are you afraid you might rock the boat, and perhaps make someone not like you as much if you speak out or live according to His standards?

 

Please don't feel judged. Because I too have felt the same way for the past few years. However, recently I saw that what is happening in the world is not because sin is just growing stronger. It is because many of God's people (the army of the living God) are being intimidated by the boastful, boisterous, arrogant voice of sin. Many of God's people are living in fear today because they lack the courageous heart of God. Simply stated, their heart is not after God. The armies of the living God are being reproached by the taunting of sin, terrorism, and immorality in our world today. Know what I say? Enough! Who is our DEFEATED foe, that He should taunt the armies of the living God? Enough!

 

Instead of being intimidated, fearful, and dismayed, I've become angry. I've been praying for revival! Revival must begin with God's people! The need for revival is not due to the presence of sin. It is due to the absence of the presence of God. In these last, perilous days, God is stirring the hearts of His people. Prayer is going up. Hearts are changing. God's people are beginning to see what is really happening. People are saying, "Enough!" And like David, they are trusting in the God their heart pursues with fiery passion.

 

Mark my word, we will see impact and influence return to His church; because many of His people are beginning to be stirred to seek after Him. Many of His people are beginning to see that in these last days, God's power will be stronger than ever. God is supernatural, and does supernatural feats. His vessels through which these supernatural feats are expressed are His people, His church. This is how the world is impacted for the Kingdom of God.

 

Finally, are you intimidated or angry? Are you fearful, or annoyed over the arrogance of sin? Are you dismayed over the boastful and boisterous voice of sin, or have you simply had enough?

 

 

 

 

Praying For Revival

It's quite obvious to most Christian folk that we need revival in our land. I really don't have to go into great detail because the signs are everywhere. If you have lived at least 30 years you can see from where we have fallen.

Yes, we need revival in America. But revival won't come to America unless it first comes to the church. Let me be clear about the church. I'm not talking about church buildings and the organized part of what we call local churches. When I say the church, I am referring to what the Bible calls the body of Christ. One person, truly born again is part of the church I'm talking about...whether they belong to a certain organized church that meets regularly in a building or not.

Revival is bringing life to the dead. For the unbeliever it is being reborn (born again) by the Spirit of God. It is God breathing life into the spirit of a person. That spirit which was dead to God is made alive to God through trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior!

For the believer, revival is a renewal of the spirit of a born again person that has grown cold. It is a genuine re-infilling of the Holy Spirit. It is when God's Spirit fans the embers of a born again spirit causing it to burst into raging flames again! Revival for the believer brings a new boldness and confidence in God. Revival brings change in the heart and life of any believer. Oh how the church needs revival and renewal! When the church changes, the land changes.

Revival won't happen in our country unless it first happens in the church. But can you see the need for renewal in the church? Are you satisfied with the way things are? Are you comfortable with the status quo in the church, turning off those who would be hungry for God? Do you genuinely see the need for change? If so, will you do anything about it?

How does revival come? How does it start? Contrary to what many have taught over the years, revival is not simply a sovereign move of God. Revival and renewal will come when the church positions itself correctly with the sovereign God. When the church is in the right position, God will move in miraculous ways through His church. You are a good example. As you position yourself correctly with God, He uses you in awesome ways! As long as the church is out of position, the world is cut off from God's move, and wickedness prevails. Let me ask you again. Do you see the need for revival in our land?

 

To truly pray for revival is to truly present yourself to God. "Therefore I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, to present bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom. 12: 1- 2)

 

You must understand. To pray for revival means YOU must be willing to be revived. You must be willing to change. It begins as you present yourself to God as a living sacrifice, pleasing and acceptable to Him. Are there things in your life that you know are not pleasing and acceptable to God? You must be willing to sacrifice those things as you present yourself to Him. This is not only prayer for revival...it is also repentance. Repentance is our willingness to change in order to facilitate God's move. A commitment to pray for revival must also requires from you and me the commitment to change.

 

I truly believe revival is coming to America and the rest of the world in these last days. This is not just something I'm hoping and believing for. I'm changing my ways so as to position myself before God to be an instrument of revival. I wonder if you are willing to do this too? If so, present yourself to Him as a living sacrifice, pleasing and acceptable to Him. In the process you will have to give up things you know you need to release. Do it! Allow Him to reveal things to you that perhaps you were not aware of until now. But then...expect God to move in and through you. And remember, it's not just about God moving through you. It's about revival coming to His church and to the nations.