"The Lone Leper" March 2008
By Frank Shelton, Jr
Today, I was invited to speak to 150 seminary students at a combined chapel at Washington Bible College & Capitol Bible Seminary in Lanham, Maryland. My dear friend, Mark Heazlit opened the door for the invite and he is a blessing. God gave me a brand new tailored message to share with the future full-time ministers in ministry. This morning, I shared as a child one of my heroes was none other than
The Lone Ranger. Yes, the wild western warrior whom wore the black mask, blue denim shirt, adorned with the red scarf on the white horse and shot with silver bullets. I guess it is safe to say I always wanted to wear the "white hat."
Shortly, after falling in love with Superman and The Lone Ranger as a kid, I became a born-again Christian at age seven in 1979. Most of you know the story. At age ten, I had such a overwhelming burden for my friends that I decided in my parents bedroom in July 1982 (at age ten) that I cared more of what God in Heaven would think of me than what my friends or man would think of me and I decided to invite friends to church with hopes that they could find salvation before it was eternally too late. At the end of the week, we had 22 friends come with me to church at Vacation Bible School (at age ten) in July 1982.
God gave me a unique thirst to read His Word and I read the entire Bible by my 13th birthday in eighth grade and yes it is safe to say for over a quarter Century I have done my best to point people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Today, at age 36, I still have some heroes in the Bible. Yes, I love Joseph (actually three Joseph's - 1) Joseph in the Old Testament whom was sold out by his brothers (the first brother in history where folks were trying to "keep a brother down." What they meant for evil - God worked for good by promoting him to be the second most powerful person as the prime minister of his country. I LOVE that true story. 2) Joseph (Jesus' step father married to Mary) and yes, one of my favorites Joseph of Arimathea. God's Word is perfect. I love how God used a borrowed womb and a borrowed tomb to be the bookends in the life and death of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Yes, I also love James and John and what I shared on DAYSTAR TV to nearly 200 million viewers "Certainly, we find Christians in Scripture that we can appreciate, imitate and even emulate but we should never put a Christian before Christ." Marcus Lamb founder of DAYSTAR TV in Dallas, TX jumped in and said: "Amen and I like that!" Without question, Jesus will always be my favorite in all of the Bible and life.
I also love the lad who loaned his lunch to the Lord when Jesus fed the five thousand. Yes, I love the lady (widow whom witnessed the window of opportunity) and cast all she had in the offering. Of course the Lord, as He climbed Calvary's cruel cross to die for our sins. People whom are recorded in the annals of History whom have given their all always have intrigued me, interested me and impressed me. Regardless, if they were a seven year old boy after hearing a missionary speak felt compelled to dump out all $8.37 from his piggy bank so the matchless message of our Messiah could carry on around the Globe - that encourages me! Also, the teenage girl who donated her kidney to her baby brother that he may live - that inspires me. Most recently, President George W Bush at The White House posthumously gave one of our Nation's highest medals to the proud parents of a Navy Seal whom with a split second to react jumped on a live grenade and died that four of his fellow friends could live. That touches me!
Rewind with me two thousand years as we borrow the "Back to the Future" DeLorean from Marty McFly and land smack center into (outside of Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea) the man that perhaps has intrigued, impressed and interested me the most. Truth be told, I probably have daydreamed more about this man than all the countless hours of shooting hoops in gyms all over the East Coast over the years. Who is this individual?
The drum rolls, the curtain rises, the house lights bask brightly on perhaps the most unique person in all of the Bible. The character of which I refer was not rich, not famous and certainly had no clout politically or personally. He was not the "main man" and certainly wasn't invited in the "in" crowd. Here, we graduate from The Lone Ranger to the Lone Leper.
This brother from another mother has occupied my thoughts for years. The Bible says in Luke 17:11-19 that Jesus was en route to a town and on His journey to Jerusalem came across ten folks standing afar off. After reading it and re-reading the text preparing for the message I was uncertain if the text was referring that they were "stand offish" personally (arrogant) or regarding their physical proximity to God was distant. Either way, Christ en route to His destination paused and pointed them to the next level. Just like our Lord, He loves us so much that He meets us where we are at but loves us too much to leave us where He found us. Jesus previously had already come from Heaven to Earth and now heading towards Jerusalem He still had time to detour for a dozen men who desperately needed Him.
You have heard of the "cops cop" or the "politician's politican?" What makes these men so unique is they were literally the "outcasts outcast." They were despised by society, discarded by siblings, destitute of salary, dejected by social parties but DELIVERED by their Savior. Ironically, the shame was so unbearable that those plagued with this dreaded disease felt defeated, dealt with deep depression and daydreamed about death (not better days). It has been said: "The darkest hour of the night is always the hour before dawn." When the world walked out - Jesus walked up and into their lives offering HOPE, HUMOR and Heaven on Earth! That's my Jesus - never in a hurry but ALWAYS on time (can I get a witness). - Look out Jesse Jackson! LOL
In verse 14, Jesus gave a commandment to " go show yourselves to the high priest." All ten of the lonely lepers passed with flying colors the first assignment of this pop quiz! It was not every day that Jesus - Son of God would waltz right past them! God gave them a commandment. Sadly, many even today see our Savior's commandments as mere suggestions. The Bible says: "as they went they were HEALED!" They adhered to the Almighty's assignment and put feet to their prayers. Although they passed on the first test over 90% failed miserably on the second and perhaps most important test. Out of the ten touched and healed by the Master, only one (out of ten) took the time to come back and say "Thank you." This is why I love this lone leper. When he realized what had transpired from being lonely to lovely, cursed to cleansed, rejected by society to received by the Savior, an hour before hurting now healed and once dejected by crowds and now delivered by Christ; the Bible says he did two things: RETREATED and REJOICED.
He pivoted to the Prince of Peace, skipped back singing songs to His Savior and gave God glory until He returned to his Redeemer, said "thanks" to His Savior and thirdly, he REPENTED and fell on his face worshipping the Word Himself (Jesus of Nazareth - the Son of the Living God). Then we see the REMARK of the REDEEMER in verse 18: "Were not ten cleansed - Where are the other nine? I guess you could say as un-sightly, smelly, un-approachable and un-popular as this leper was – in a way – I always wanted to be just like him. What scares me and I have never heard a preacher or professor imply this but I can't help but think that those statistics may be (sad to say) pretty accurate in our commitment to Christ in the Christian Church today. Some say that 20% of the people do 80% of the work - perhaps really only ten percent really give their ALL to Christ by their life and lips. It doesn't mean if you really love Jesus you have to become a preacher, youth leader or church secretary. But it does totally mean “step up our game” at work, shine for Jesus, live for the Lord and point people to the Prince of Peace!
In closing, I reminded the seminary students today that all ministry when done with a pure heart and sincere motives is "BIG." Yes, Jesus could hold a crowd of five thousand in the Palm of His Hand and without equal - the greatest Orator of ALL time. However, sometimes our Savior's best sermons were One on one. Ministry is wherever, to whomever and whenever the Lord takes us. If Christ had time to speak salvation to the "woman at the well" and offered hope to the hurting woman caught in the very act of adultery and detoured (even briefly) to touch and transform ten lads with leprosy than we should never get so "BIG" professionally that we fail to minister to the "small" churches and citizens personally along the way. I shared with them that if "numbers" are your measuring stick to success in the ministry you will fail miserably. True success, is never in the size of the auditorium but the realization that our efforts are always for an audience of One.
So many artists, singers, band members, young guns in ministry and speakers fall into the trap of wanting to do the "big" things but fail to realize that regardless of the venue we are called to love, lead and be loyal to God and man as we are on our journey with Jesus. Some folks will never get to the "next level" because they haven't succeeded in realizing that regardless if you are invited to speak to 200 million viewers on television, address 12,000 folks at one sermon or speak to 28 at a country church it is indeed a privilege to love on people, brag on Jesus and leave the audience better than when you found them. Yes, the "greats are gracious" and the Bible in the greek language relating to the "Great Commission" literally says: "As you are going........preach the Gospel."
Regardless, if God has you in Tupelo or on TBN - preach the Gospel and love on people. If you are speaking to the town drunk or our Commander in Chief - preach the Gospel and love on people. If you are speaking at a detention center or dining with a Grammy Award Winner - preach the Gospel and love on people. If you are speaking at a classroom at a elementary school or the keynote with corporate elite - preach the Gospel and love on people. If you are presently in the out- house or work at The White House - preach the Gospel and love on people.
Like the former Michael Landon TV show - as we are all hopefully walking on our own "Highway to Heaven" in Christ may we all have time to not only "stop and smell the roses" but realize that sometimes the greatest "highs" in ministry are not always on the moutain-top but the mundane of ordinary Joe's with whom we encounter in our "day to day" duties and yes it is true: "Some have entertained angels unaware." That "One Shining Moment" song notes the highs and lows, promotions and pitfalls en route to their "Promised Land" in college basketball. Yes, it is exhilarting at the mountain but when we stand before the Lord and see the video tape of our lives played out and the rewards are distributed and the crowns are cast at Christ's Feet (I can't help but think that the greatest awards may not be limited to speaking to the multitudes, talking to the masses on the radio, featured in magazine articles, plastered on a 60 foot billboard or even having a building named in one's honor) that catches the most applause from the angels or Almighty. Much of the applause, attention and awards from Almighty God; I believe will be in those un-planned, un-chartered, un-expected events that on the outside (even by others - maybe even in ministry circles seemed miniscule, un-important and even time consuming and "out of the way." Certainly, the BIG moments in ministry are those Divine moments when God somehow used an imperfect person (like you and me) to share the love of God with hurting people while promoting and pointing people to the One and Only Perfect God along their journey with Jesus and to their Jerusalem.
Recently, I have been asked "why I would come speak to a small congregation" when I have been blessed to speak at some super sized sanctuaries? My answer: It is threefold: First, Christ did it first. Secondly, Dr. Herbert Fitzpatrick one of my ministry heroes showed me that although God used him to build one of the "TOP TEN" fastest growing churches in America in 1982 ,and built a 2,700 seat sanctuary in Maryland over 26 years ago (before the mega-church concept) he never got "too big" that he wouldn't preach at a country church running under 30. I never forgot that. Wow - that was really "big" of him. We recently had lunch together and he graciously serves as an honorary member on the Celebrate Jesus! Crusade Board of Directors. To this day, he is on the Board at Liberty University with Dr. Jerry Vines, Dr. Tim LaHaye, Jonathan Falwell, Dr. Johnny Hunt and my other hero - Dr. Tim Lee. Ironically, Tim Lee called me on the cell phone recently and joked that he was the I.R.S. - Nothing like friends calling you to tease you!
Again, the "greats are gracious." Plus, with the "BIG BOYS" the size of the crowd doesn't define who you are in Christ. Ministry is not what can a crowd do for you but what with God's help we can do for the crowd. Jesus realized that, Dr. Fitzpatrick knew that and all those that have been to the mountain and have nothing to prove long and desire daily to be used of God regardless if they are on the scene or behind the scenes.
Thirdly, because I am just a leper who never forgot who I am or where I was when the Master touched me, transformed me and transported me to meet some amazing friends over the years all because of His amazing grace. Not because of my charisma, contacts or credentials but Christ in me. Not my merits but His mercy. Not my works but whom I worship. Not my resume or rolodex but my relationship with my Redeemer.
When I first accepted Christ I loved Him for His victories, moutain top experiences, speaking to large crowds and being the perfect Lamb of God that "taketh away the sins of the world." Today, I love Him all the more that He is with us through our valleys, that yes spoke to the throngs of thousands but I adore Him more because He had time to stop along the way to speak to individuals. Outside of His death on the cross, His greatest moments were probably with the twelve disciples, healing a strangers daughter, whispering comfort in the ear of a woman "far from God" but now a child of the King. I can't help but think that yes the masses left with a snap to their step, and the euphoria of emotion that must have carried them as they went back to the marketplace in their line of work but Heaven only knows how the ten healed of leprosy, the woman at the well, the lady looking for love in all the wrong places and was caught in adultery felt when Jesus was not "too big" to meet them where they were at but with His great grace gave them a seat at the Family Table, their name added to the Book of Life, their garments of guilt were now bleached in grace and was as glorious as the noon time Sun. We serve a God of compassion and second and third chances. He is worthy of our attention, adoration and admiration.
The moment of truth is this. Before we met Christ (like the lepers) all of us were standing afar off (on the outside looking in). The trillion dollar question remains today, after being touched by the Master are you going to "sell out" and be one of the nine satisfied with sitting on the sidelines serving our Savior while en route to Heaven or will you stand up, dare to be different and be not only a LONE RANGER for the Lord but like that lone leper who retreated, rejoiced, repented and ready to serve Him for the rest of your life? Today, we should get in the game, give God the glory and go forward with a thankful heart until He comes or calls us Home.
Like the Marines – God isn't interested in applications – only commitments! God is watching and give Him a good show.
God bless you, He loves you and go with God.
"FACING your FEARS with FAITH"
by Frank Shelton, Jr 12/1/07
Last night, I found a sermon that I have only preached once and exactly at the one year anniversary of 9-11, I was invited to speak at a large church called First Christian Church in Sullivan, Indiana. It was taped "LIVE" to a packed auditorium and it was aired on the radio for folks to listen all over. Ironically, when others are at their worse God has given me grace and a gift to usually be at my best. Not only was America still recovering from the terrorist attacks but personally it was the lowest point of my life. Just 81 days before the speech I gave in Indiana, my wife of five years informed me she was done with our marriage and it was evident she was moving on. I boarded that plane and looking back, most folks were amazed I was able to put one foot in front of the other much less get up to speak to a packed audience and offer hope when my heart was desperately hurting.
When I completed the message that day, I will never forget it as long as I live. They gave me two (three minute standing ovations) and the roar from the crowd was almost defeaning. Even on tape it sounds like thunder the way they clapped and cried out to God. Immediately, I walked off the stage and I shook hands with the pastor that hosted the event and noticed a dozen clergy from various churches that came to hear me speak and I shook hands with all of them. In the corner, I noticed an elderly person in a wheel-chair and I made my way over to her and shook hands with her and I thought she was going to leap out of her chair to give me a hug. I went to bless her and she blessed me. I turned and felt like the President exiting the U.S. Capitol following the State of the Union and it seemed like every hand was trying to touch me to say: "thanks."
On the way out, a senior citizen grabbed me and said: "My Goodness, Sonny! You got the charisma of Clinton and the rhetoric of Reagan! With your love for the Lord and your link to Lincoln - When ya going to run?" He totally caught me off guard and I smiled and looked him in the eye, shook his hand firmly and joked: "Well, we have had: Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Truman, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, Clinton - and he screamed SHELTON!" I gave him a wink and like Elvis - "left the building."
God really blessed that evening and message. The Lord was on the scene and honestly it was powerful. The key is to "stand up" even when you feel like "sitting out." Looking back on my life, I would have missed some of the biggest blessings for failing to show up! I have always said: "The depths of your brokeness is often a gauge to reveal the height of your effectiveness." We have since mailed that message to Dr. James Dobson on " Focus on the Family " and Lord willing, they may air it on national radio in the future. For those that would like a copy of that message feel free to reply and we are in the process of getting more. One individual said: "Pound for pound that was the most powerful sermon I have ever heard!" Praise God.
As you know by now, "perseverance" is one of my greatest themes. Since childhood, I have been fascinated with the topic and loved reading the biographies of those that triumphed over tragedies. President John F. Kennedy noted: " When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity."
Why is it that when some are faced with an obstacle - Half step Up and the others sit down? What makes one flourish and the other fail? Is it in our upbringing? Is it in our genes? Is it a trait that was both taught and caught by a mentor, role model, parent or pastor? Why do some succeed and others succomb to the pressure to remain in the bleachers as a spectator and not get in the game as a soldier?
Much can be attributed to the love, leadership and life lessons learned from our parents, teachers, coaches and guardians growing up but it is ironic that you can be born in the same house, hear the wise instruction of the same parent(s) and yet still end up in totally different destinations. Mark Hall - lead singer to CASTING CROWNS said at a concert that I had the privilege to speak at with them at a large YOUTH RALLY in 2005, he said during his set to the crowd: "It is amazing that kids in my own youth group will go on a retreat and read the same words off the screen, sing the exact same songs, listen to the same speaker and hang out with the same kids but some will embrace the message of God and the other's will reject it."
One of my best buddies since fourth grade is Tim Heddings. His life verse is 1 Cor. 17: " God uses the foolish to confound the wise ." God since the beginning of time have always used the ordinary to do the extra-ordinary. Mother Mary was great because of God the Father's grace. It was because of His mercy not her merits that she has a special place in history and our hearts. God used a virgin's womb in birth and a virgin tomb in death (Joseph of Arimathea) to carry out His Plan on a world stage. What makes these events special is because of the sacred and Sovereignty of God. Ray Boltz sang a song I love called: "When Others See a Shepherd Boy - God may see a king. Even though your life is filled with ordinary things. In just a moment, God can touch you and everything will change. When other's see a shepherd boy - God may see a king."
Go in reverse with me a a couple thousand years and we see a battle going on. This feud was worse than the Hatfields and McCoy's! In the right corner (not morally speaking) was a giant named Goliath. This fellow stood at nearly ten feet tall and weighed in at a trim couple tons and when he walked - people not only listened, froze in their tracks but literally peed their paints! He was the Terminator and the motley crew across the field were the "urinators." They were scared to death!
Two years ago, I preached a sermon at First Baptist Church of Accokeek, MD entitled: "FACING your FEARS with FAITH." My text was about the battle of David vs. Goliath. Considered the "greatest under-dog of all time." Consider the movies: "Hoosiers, Rudy & Rocky" and together the three of them had nothing on what took place in the "old school" days.
Michael Buffer's ancestor came in center of the ring and with his mega-phone (similar to the Flinestones) screams: "Let's Get Ready to RUUUMMBBLE!" Ironically, the opposing team thought he said: "Let's get ready to FUMBLE!" These clowns from another town literally "dropped the ball." I have learned repeatedly when you need to count on folks the most often times you can count on them the least. In the left corner were scores of men dressed as soldiers yet resembled "sissies" and some of their sister's had more of a desire to fight!
Unfortunately, the "men" had lost the battle in their mind a long time ago and knew that in the present they were losers against the opposition. You have heard the phrase: "All dressed up and no where to go!" Well, that explains the plight of our contender's in their uniform's yet in the "yellow" corner. They were afraid, ashamed and scared to advance! When the bell sounded no one, and I mean NO ONE: Not a single soldier stood forward to fight. Actually, they took a few steps back.
The opposition laughed, Goliath arrogantly grinned and then stepped forth a man (actually a kid with a man's mindset and a champion's heart). Startled - his colleagues were thinking: "Little David is too small" but at the same time satisfied and relieved that somebody, anybody but them would face this foe resulting in certain death. Just like on 9-11 when others were running out the Twin Towers some emergency personnel were running in!
David grabbed his gear and started walking towards the battlefield when everyone else was on the bleachers. Ironically, his fellow soldiers all became instant "experts" on combat and gorilla (aka Goliath) warfare and his peers or "peeps" in today's terms were advising him from a distance how to fight the giant: Goliath. Isn't it ironic how people try to tell you how to do things that they themselves are not willing to do in the battle?
David declined their advice to take on more equipment to fight the Phillistine giant informing them he had not "proven" the gear in preparation for the task at hand. When this "brother from another mother" walked into battle he was going in with what he knew had worked in the past.
David had killed animals, became accurate with his sling and steadily advanced his skills en route to his date with destiny (not death). Similar to baseball players. One doesn't start playing in the major league, but Babe Ruth league, Parks & Rec league then varsity ball, college ball, if you are good A, AA, or AAA ball and just maybe have the one in a million chance to play in the BIG LEAGUES!
Despite his backyard BASIC tranining. Hands down, this was still the greatest mis-match in History. Solider verses student, old verses young, warrior against a "walk on." In a nutshell, a "killer" of armed forces against the keeper of his father's flock. We are talking sheep not soliders! I know that was a BAAAAAAD joke! LOL
David looked more like Raggedy Ann than "Rambo" as he marched to battle carrying only a sling shot, a leather bag filled with five small, smooth stones. As he walked boldly into the center of the ring; Goliath began to taunt him, humiliate him and tried to intimidate the youth from the local YMCA. People always make fun of Peter for falling out at sea. Ironically, he was the only one willing to "get out of the boat" and walk on water with Jesus! Friends, I'd rather have one Peter out at sea than ten in a boat any day of the week! Charles Spurgeon was asked how he built that great tabernacle of 5,000 members nearly two hundred years ago. He said: "All I needed were ten men totally surrendered to the will of God."
Those on the sidelines of the original Gladiator set (absent Russell Crowe) without a doubt, those watching knew David had absolutely no chance to go toe to toe much less the distance with this killing machine! Most remarked: "David, is so little how can he hurt him?" David with his faith in God was thinking: " Goliath is so big how can I miss him !" Where most saw an obstacle . David saw an opportunity . Today, when other's see a crisis do you see Christ? Never stare at the problem at hand but the Answer in your heart (JESUS)!
What goes through someone's mind during this stand-off? Well, let me give you the play by play: "Goliath was thinking of what Mr. T (aka CLUBBER LANG) would say before fighting Balboa in Rocky III: "Dead Meat!" Ironically, as David was placing the stone in his sling he was quoting what Clint Eastwood made famous years later: "Do you feel lucky, punk?"
As the crowd rallied , Goliath roared and David reared back with his sling and hit him square in the head and with a loud BOOM - the giant fell to the ground never to get up. The Earth shook and the Heavens shouted: "Glory to God in the Highest!"
Why did David bring five stones? Personally, I believe since Goliath had four other brother's he had one stone for each of them if they too chose to get in the game? You see David had won this battle years before in his mind while tending to his Daddy's sheep. This day, David didn't come to dance but dominate . He didn't come to simply fight but finnish the work God called him to do. He didn't come with a victim mind-set but he knew that he was already a victor in Almighty God. He was not content being a spectato r when God wanted him to be a solider in the Lord's Army! He knew with God on his side he had already won - All he had to do was show up, go through the motions and give God the glory at the end of the day!
Almost 20 years ago, when I was helping teach Sunday School ocassionally at First Baptist Church of Waldorf, MD ironically, I only had five smooth sermons starting out in ministry. Like David, he had only five smooth stones in his bag. For years, I used to beat myself up that I didn't have more messages and felt embarrassed to preach the same sermon to a different audience but the beauty is God's Word doesn't come back void. You can only sling one sermon at a time and even today, those sermons still slay giant's every single time when slung with the Spirit of God behind it!
David knew with God he couldn't lose. David with eyes of faith saw past the natural and got a glimpse of the Super-natural. In the flesh, he didn't have a chance in Hell but in the Spirit all he needed was a chance in Heaven to complete the assignment while on Earth because he knew firsthand: "Greater is He (Jesus) that is in you than he (satan) that is in the world." You see Goliath's faith was in himself not Almighty God. He trusted in his merits not God's mercy. Goliath trusted in his strength. David trusted in his Salvation. Goliath trusted in his hands. David trusted in his heart.
Just as Goliath taunted and mocked David the Word of God reminds us: "PRIDE comes before the fall." Plus, the BIGGER they are the harder they...FALL! Many folks (even Christian's think that "nice-ness" is a weakness). Looking back, some of my friends in middle school and high school who never played ball with me (basketball, baseball or football) before games would say: " Frank, is the nicest guy in school. I am going to guard him because (they assumed) I had no drive, no skills or desire to win.)"
You can always gauge the folks you are up against by their attitude and actions before a game. As always, I would say a silent prayer (because I had already been privately praying for power on my knees in the locker room before the BIG GAME) and when the whistle blew, I came out swinging like Rocky Balboa in a championship bout only to scorch them with fade away jumpers, cross over dribbles, couple "no look" passes and a finger roll that would have made George "The Ice Man" Gervin proud before averaging 18-20 points per game only to have them either want to guard someone else the next game or wish I was on their team. One game I scored 25 of our 48 points and went 10-10 from the foul line.
Plus, I had already daydreamed about the game a zillion times before it started. In a small way, I felt like I had already been there. Regardless of the final score; at the end of the game, it is imperative to still stay humble, gracious and Christ-like in both victory and defeat. Even in sports my strength was not because of me but in me (my personal walk with Jesus Christ). The Lord was then and still is my strength. Like GATORADE: "Is it (God) in You?"
Sadly, before the fight 99.9% of those in the crowd saw how big Goliath was and fortunately for all in attendance and his actions remind us today, David only dwelled on how big his God is! David didn't see a solider because his eyes were fixed on the Savior! Sadly, churches today, are still tempted to rely on their "funds" to consider a daring, daunting task for God's glory opposed to faith in advance without a guranteed victory. It is ironic that some of the smallest churches in America have great faith (despite a lack of funds) and often times God raises up the "small" to rock the gates of Hell even more so than the substantial, SUPER sized sanctuaries. Why? Perhaps the smaller church is still trusting in their God and not their "goods." God is still looking for folks to be giant killers, whom dare to be a Daniel against a den of lion's, a David against all odds against giants in this game called LIFE, folks like Shadrach, Meschach and Abendego who would rather burn for Jesus than be "watered down" without Him!
In closing, some of you may be facing some "giants" of your own. Perhaps you are battling depression; debt or discord between a friend that is breaking your heart at the seams. Perhaps dealing with a teen that makes the prodigal look like a prom queen. Perhaps you just got confirmation that you have cancer. Your boss no longer needs your labors, your spouse wrote a note simply stating: "I took the kids and we are not coming back." Friends, I have been to the mountain and I have been in the valley. I have won, lost and tied for everything in between. Not everything I have touched has turned to gold. But I can honestly say, everything I have touched for most of my life I have turned over to God and that is worth far more than gold.
Friend, "courage" is moving forward in faith even when it doesn't feel comfortable or convenient. Christianity is not "emotion" but devotion. When a basketball player gets ready to dunk, his foot slaps the floor at an enormous force. Depending on how hard his foot is planted is in direct relation to how high he will eventually fly. Thank God for your victories and valleys, your promotions and demotions because I am living proof for those that have been hit the lowest often soar the highest.
Dr. Johnny Hunt once preached at a conference: "In life, some of us have messed up and some of us have been messed on. However, we all need God's grace and forgiveness." Ministry is really about being "real" and not ashamed to share our weaknesses. I really believe that God uses the "broken" the most. Some preachers sadly believe differently. However, even Jesus was broken more than any human in the history of Humanity and look at how God used Him! Ironically, clergy and Christians and the church may attempt to disqualify folks but Christ always receives those with "open arms" for those whom come to Him as their Savior, Source of Strength and Salvation.
Without question, God's choice servants have been broken. Even, Jesus "came to His own and His own received Him not." He was rejected and a Man acquainted with grief.The Bible says: "The rock whom the builders rejected became the chief cornerstone." How many times have we witnessed in history, where "leaders" declared someone in-eligible or un-qualified and yet, God uses the "foolish things to confound the wise." One local preacher would not officiate a friend's wedding because she was "with child." Ironically, that same baby whom the pastor refused played "Jesus" in the Christmas play a few years later. Deacons at a local church told a close friend of mine: "You will never make it as an evangelist." Ironically, the numbers have dropped overwhelmingly since his departure and since then spoken at events with the biggest names in Christianity and helped fill stadiums -yet they continue to "play church." My wife, Ruth recently reminded me of a powerful point the other day. She said when she was little she would go fishing with her Daddy and siblings. She said: " The best time to fish is in the middle of or right after a storm ." She said: "All the fish rise to the top."
She said: "It's like that with ministry. When Jesus called us to be "Fishers of Men" most of us don't want to either be in the rain (because it is inconvenient) or it is too time consuming. However, Ruth went on to say: "Those that have been through some storms in their lives tend to be the best fishermen and women in ministry."
WHY? When they cast their nets to point people to Christ, offer hope in help-less times the audience responds better to them because the one "fishing" or preaching speaks their language and they sense they have not only been in the "fire" but praise God got through the storm and a greater sincerity and urgency is upon them! That is perhaps one of the greatest reasons why folks should never discount folks whom have been through some storms. Honestly, not everyone brought storms upon them selves. To discredit or disqualify others (right or wrong) not only mocks God but attempts to hinder God's grace and power in our all too human vessels of "jars of clay." In our weakness, God is still strong! Friends, that is ministry in a nutshell. Imperfect people pointing people to a perfect Savior: JESUS CHRIST.
The giants that you are facing today are molding you more into the image of the Master. The "growing pains" you are experiencing are to help you not harm you and remember to consider Christ and the feelings of others and once you " Walk a Mile in my Shoes " and remember David slaying Goliath, Moses crossing the Red Sea and Jesus, walking out of the tomb "alive" - you too can sing: "Oh, Happy Day!"
Friend, take heart because regardless of the size of your storm's tomorrow, your lot in life since birth or the giant that is starring you down today remember: " If God be for you - who can be against you?" and like Ayiesha Woods smash hit God is always "BIG ENOUGH" to face your fights. Put your hand in His Hand and everything will be all right and when the "giants" fall make sure you give God the glory and praise Him now en route to your victory!
God bless you, He loves you and go with God.
Frank Shelton, Jr
Song of the WEEK: "Casting Crowns" - "VOICE OF TRUTH" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwbbDK6Ltgs
Word of the Day : "When your down to nothing. Jesus is UP to something." |
