Loss of Vision

Genesis 27:1-4

Isaac Blesses Jacob

27 Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” And he answered him, “Here I am.”
2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

Genesis 27:22-23

22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him,

We see in this passage, an older man with a loss of vision. He must rely on his feelings now versus true vision...I know many Christians who are just like that. One of the great tragedies in this is, when you lack vision, it will limit your discernment and pervert your priorities...

As we see in verse 3 and 4, the desire of Isaac is that his son would go out and hunt for the savory game that he loves...a stew which will later be Esau's demise...you know, your present pleasures can wreck your family's destiny!

Another thing to note is, because he couldn't see, he had to feel his way around...unfortunately, when it came to knowing the truth from a lie, there was no hope in him being able to know which was which...verse 22 of our text says that what he heard was truth, but what he 'felt', was a lie.

Christian, have you lost your vision? Have you lost the passion and drive that brought you thus far? If you have, you need to get it back, and only Jesus can restore you and put you back in your proper place; let Him do it.

The Desperate Cry

Psalm 18:6 - 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Our text says that in the midst of our sins and bondages – we can cry out for His help and He will come through for us! Let me ask you – just how desperate are you? Now I realize that there are people who only cry out to God when they’re in trouble – God is the judge of their hearts…but, there is something to be said about a desperate man/woman who is willing to come clean and beg for forgiveness…

What so touches me about this verse is David. He paints this interesting picture for you and I as he glances into eternity. Imagine with me, God is in heaven, being praised day after day, night after night...the angels, saints that have gone on to heaven before us, all of the wonderful creatures we've yet to imagine or describe are all in constant worship of the King of kings! In the midst of this - He hears our prayers!
It's as if He were to stop, just to listen to the prayers of His saints come into His throne room, all the way up to His ears!!  That's the power of persistent and meaningful prayer! Have you ever prayed like that? Have you ever been so desperate before God that you didn't stop until you were confident that He has heard you? Or do you give up because you haven't seen what you wanted to see just yet...I mean, come on God - it's been 2 weeks!!

Luke 18:1-8, 18 Then He spoke a parable to them that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

I've known verse 8 to be used in the context of Jesus returning to rapture His church, but that's not what it's saying at all. He's asking this question after a parable about persistent prayer!
In other words, you've asked, you've thirsted and hungered after an answer from God - He decides to move on your behalf, only to show up and realize, you've given up before the blessing arrived!

When God returns with your blessing/answer/breakthrough - will He find faith?

Hands Up Don't Shoot

Matthew 11:12 
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

After weeks of anticipation, grand jury announces decision on whether to indict Officer Darren Wilson, whose fatal shooting of Michael Brown caused national uproar.
FERGUSON, Mo. — A grand jury on Monday declined to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager, resolving a secretive, months-long legal saga and reigniting powerful frustrations about America’s policing of African Americans.

The decision means that Wilson, 28, will face no state charges for the Aug. 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. It also set off a show of fury on streets near where Brown was shot, a reflection of emotions that register in this riven city as either out of control or justifiable.

At least two police cars and a half-dozen buildings were set aflame. Not far from Christmas lights in downtown Ferguson that read “Seasons Greetings,” police fired tear-gas canisters to contain the crowds. People looted liquor and convenience stores, a response that ran counter to the peace that Missouri authorities, President Obama and Brown’s family had requested.

Now I’m sure that everyone has their own opinions and their own take on what happened, what is right and what is wrong – however, I believe we spoke out as a Nation…that voice cried, when we are unfairly treated (Especially by Authorities), we will counterattack! This is nothing new people – this is in our DNA. We are Americans and for centuries, we have fought for our right to express ourselves, reveal our character (Even at other’s expense), and demand our voice and opinions be heard. That lies in the fabric of this country. This is something that transcends all races in this country. We can borrow from our history; which I believe we have…

The American Revolution began in 1775 as open conflict between the united thirteen colonies and Great Britain. By the Treaty of Paris that ended the war in 1783, the colonies had won their independence. While no one event can be pointed to as the actual cause of the revolution, the war began as a disagreement over the way in which Great Britain treated the colonies versus the way the colonies felt they should be treated. Americans felt they deserved all the rights of Englishmen. The British, on the other hand, felt that the colonies were created to be used in the way that best suited the crown and parliament. This conflict is embodied in one of the rallying cries of the American Revolution: No Taxation Without Representation.

Having understood this, I have a unique question…where is all this fight, fervor, and passion, when it comes to the Kingdom of God? We hold picket signs, yell and scream, burn down businesses, and fight for our rights – but do very little to stand up for Who we believe in!

Listen, if we have passion and an opinion about the things going on in the world – how much more passion should we have about the One who created the world?!

Jesus died on the cross so that we can be set free, isn’t that worth a voice to cry out? Will you be the mouth piece God needs in these last days?

People are rioting in the streets, setting buildings on fire in the name of someone who is dead…can’t we preach in the streets and get set ON fire for someone who is risen from the dead?!?!

Rom. 1: 16 – ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…’

All of You Lord

John 6:53-58

53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed,[a] and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”

John 6:66-69
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The Power in Consuming Sacrifices

Let’s go back through Jewish history quickly:

(Leviticus 6:9-10)  
"And that which is left thereof [from the meal-offering] shall Aaron and his sons eat; it shall be eaten without leaven in a holy place; in the tent of meeting they shall eat it…it is most holy as the sin-offering and the guilt-offering 

When the Jewish people were in the wilderness before they entered the land of Israel, the consumption of meat was associated with holiness. Every piece of meat consumed came from an animal sacrificed in the Mishkan (Sanctuary), an act meant to bring the worshiper closer to God. The word korban (sacrifice) is related to le-karev, to come close. Through the sacrifice, worshipers felt they were giving themselves vicariously to God.

In the times of the Mishkan the consumption of meat was not something taken for granted, as it generally is today. Each sacrifice had a definite purpose: to offer thanksgiving, to atone for a sin, to commemorate a holy day (such as the Korban Pesach, or Paschal Lamb), or to make one feel closer to God.

Those offering a sacrifice felt that they were giving up something from their prized possessions. People owned animals as sources of labor or food, as well as a form of capital; hence slaughtering them in connection with the Temple rites was a sacrifice of a precious source of income and food.

The animal was not considered just a distant commodity as is generally the case in today's world of corporate agriculture; rather, it was a creature that the owner raised and saw on a daily basis, and whose needs were a matter of personal responsibility and even concern.

Jesus called Himself the ultimate sacrifice, and He called His body, ‘The Temple’ – this is where the sacrifices were to be consumed, until after the people entered the Promised Land…then sacrifices could be consumed elsewhere.  To consume His blood, was to partake in His holy communion understanding that the shedding (Or sprinkling of blood) was to be remembered forever.

Jesus and the people understood what He was saying – His sacrifice wasn’t random, unnecessary, or common…there was relationship involved and concern. Sacrifice was more than the quality of the animal being sacrificed, there was personal involvement with the development and nurture of the beast before the slaughter – there was personal cost involved! This is what Jesus was bringing to light!

The same truth still applies today – people go to church at random, they play Russian Roulette on the web or phone book…however, long lasting faith is borne out of  relationship – care – concern, not FANATICS

Finally, did you hear the desperate cry of Peter?

Peter answered Jesus saying, ‘What else is there?’

- What am I gonna do? Go back to the world?
- Where am I going to go? Back to my old ways?
- Do you really believe I’m going to revisit my pig slop?
- I’ve made a mess of my life, now that I have a religious experience, that’s going to be enough to go on?

Peter said, ‘LORD, I NEED YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE’ – is this your testimony?

Is Jesus like unemployment? He’s just enough to get you through to the next Opportunity?

 His blood was poured out for you, so that you can walk in the newness of life.

Life In the Blood

CNN reported that Nina Pham was the nurse who was infected with the Ebola virus on American soil. Under her supervision, Mr. Duncan, who flew here from Liberia, suffered and eventually died of this terrible disease; not before the disease was transmitted. The miracle however, took place when Dr. Brantley stepped in and performed a blood - transfusion.

Dr. Brantley suffered from the same Ebola virus (Ebola means - 'Black River'), but he fought it off and healed up. With this working in his favor - he was able to donate some of his blood to her, to help her fight off this disease!

I'm here to tell you that this isn't news...there is a greater disease that has been running rampant since the fall of Adam and Eve...that disease is called SIN. We have underestimated its power, we've all been infected by it, and like Ebola, its purpose is to destroy us from the inside out...however, there is a cure for Sin - HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST!!

Even in the Old Testament...Leviticus 17: 11 tells us...'Life of the flesh, is in the blood...'
We also know that when Sin was introduced to mankind, Adam fell victim...however, when the same sin was presented to Jesus - He conquered Satan and all his lies!!  What was flowing through Jesus' veins is available to you and I today!

Listen, we need a Holy Ghost, Spirit - filled, Blood Transfusion!!  Let Jesus touch your life, and fill you with His love...through the blood of Jesus, we can all be set free from the powerful disease called SIN!!

Heb. 9: 22 - And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Give your life to Jesus Christ - the blood that flows from Calvary's cross is available to all of us...even to this day!!

Too Close for Comfort

John 19: 25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, His mother's sister Mary, (Wife of Cleopas), John, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour, that disciple took her to his own home.

Luke 24:13-18

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

Over the years, I never made the connection until recently. We see here 2 different events but an unusual connection between the 2. Mary's sister Mary is the wife of Cleopas...Cleopas was Joseph's brother! This indicates that Mary is an in-law, which would explain why the 2 sisters have the same name. It is also possible that the forms of Mary are not expounded on. In other words, Miriam, Maria, are also forms of Mary, but are not differentiated in the text.  This alone, is not unusual...what seems to be unusual to me is this...

If Mary and Cleopas are family...WOULDN'T THEY RECOGNIZE WHAT JESUS LOOKED LIKE? If anyone could recognize Jesus, it would be Mary's folks right? Well, consider the setting, and the events...

Jesus, their Nephew has been executed as a criminal...they are followers of His cause and believe He was the true Messiah...now that is all gone...no doubt Mary related these events to Cleopas - SHE WAS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS WITH JOHN! Cleopas and a friend of his was probably on their way to tell the other disciples...

By this time, Jesus shows up, but Cleopas was so downcast and discouraged, he couldn't even recognize his own flesh and blood.

I believe the lack of recognition from him is similar to our lack of recognition...many times, we can't recognize Jesus because - we are not looking for Him or, we are so filled with discouragement and / or despair, we can't see Him, even if He was right in front of us!

So close, yet so far away...as Believers, we should be able to recognize Jesus, at all times. Whatever you do brothers and sisters, don't allow your circumstances distort your vision of who and where Christ is...believe me, no matter what you're going through - HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT THERE

Along for the Ride

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

After much prayer, listening to the voice of God, and the unanimous voting of my Counsel...as of September 16th, I will serve the Potter's House Christian Church of Pasadena TX as a Full - time Pastor! One of the things I've prayed to God is, 'Lord please let me accomplish something as a minister; I want to bring a church to full - time status, and I want to launch men into the Harvest Field...well, one down, and one to go! I am a very blessed and privileged man to be able to see this through...God has truly blessed me and has watched over my family through it all! 

I'm sincerely grateful for my wife (of 21 years), who is more than willing to go along for the ride!!  She has been faithful to me and has been more than willing to follow me wherever Jesus has decided to take us...from Virginia Beach, to Evangelizing, to Dallas, and now here in Pasadena TX...it's an amazing journey that keeps on getting better!! We've seen God do some powerful things, and it's only gonna get better - we are in the process of moving into a new building nearly 3 times the size we're in now...the location is awesome, and moreover, the people are so excited!!

I'm not delusional; I understand that by going full time, we as a church declared war on hell! I must confess though, we've been through so much hell, anything else would simply be run of the mill, but I'm no fool...I believe that as we strap up as believers, that God will make miracles happen along the way - I'm praying constantly for 'Handfuls on Purpose.'

It's no secret that we're excited, and I can't wait until we get into the building and watch God cause us to outgrow that space as well!!  We're gonna launch churches, and do what Jesus has commanded us to do...TAKE THE LAND FOR JESUS CHRIST!!