Facing the Wall

The view from my chair

I have a confession to make. Yesterday, I was late for Easter church service. Terrible, I know! Easter is only the most important church service of the entire year and I was late. I’m hardly ever late. I’m always sitting in the same seat, with a Bible, notebook, and pen ready to go. But not yesterday…

Yesterday, I was literally in the hallway. The place was packed and all the seats were taken. The ushers set up folding chairs and I was seated facing a big, blank wall. That wall separated me from where I wanted to be, in my same seat, near the worship band, seeing my pastor as he shared a message from the Bible. I was irritated. I was unsettled. I was distracted by the noise of people talking, children running, and babies crying.

As I closed my eyes in an attempt to concentrate, I imagined how it was when Jesus walked the earth. He’d be teaching and great multitudes would come to hear him. There would be thousands of people trying to hear his message in the midst of the distractions of the crowd, everyone trying to get a glimpse of him. I remembered the story of Zacchaeus (19:1-10) who was short man who longed to see Jesus. But he could not see over the crowd so he climbed up a tree. When Jesus saw him up there, he called out to him, “Zacchaeus, come down. I’m going to your house today.”  He saw Zacchaeus searching for him and he said, “Today salvation has come to your house. Because I have come to seek and save the lost.”

You see, when God first created Adam and Eve, he used to walk and talk with them in the garden daily.  He loved them and it brought him joy to be with them. But when Adam and Eve sinned, that close relationship was broken. God is a Holy God and their sin erected a wall between man and God. But God loved them still, even in their sin, and He had a plan to bridge that gap. Jesus was God’s plan. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that all who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Jesus took the sins of the world, my sin, and nailed it to that cross. One of his last words on the cross was, “It is finished” which means “paid in full”. Jesus Christ paid my sin debt in full. On that Good Friday, over 2000 years ago, when Jesus breathed his last, the sky turned dark and a huge earthquake rocked the earth. And in God’s temple in Jerusalem, a thick veil that used to separate God’s presence from his people was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). That veil used to be a wall that separated man from God, but when Jesus declared, “It is finished”, God tore down that wall.  We now have free access to God, the Father, through Jesus Christ.

That is why we celebrate Easter. We remember and give thanks that Jesus, through the shedding His blood on the cross, destroyed that wall that separates us from God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

So yesterday, as I sat staring at that wall, I remembered that I didn’t matter if I couldn’t see the pastor or the worship band. I could worship and be in God’s presence right where I was sitting. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, He sealed me with the Holy Spirit who now lives in me giving me access to God anywhere, anytime.

So today, if you are sitting on the outside, with a wall separating you from where you want to be, Jesus is just on the other side knocking. He won’t forcibly knock down the wall you’ve erected. It’s your choice. But He’s asking you, “Can I tear down that wall for you? I want you with me. I invite you in to My Father's presence. Will you come?”

If so, pray this prayer with me:
“Lord Jesus, please forgive me of my sins against you, those that I do knowingly and those that I have done unknowingly. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you that when you said, “paid in full” you meant that my debt was paid in full. Thank you that you conquered death and are now sitting at the right hand of the Father praying and interceding for me. Thank you that you are in heaven preparing a place for me so that I can live with you for eternity. I invite you into my life and heart. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Guide and direct my ways. Help me to read and understand God’s Word. I ask all this in Jesus Name, Amen.

Love,
Yolanda


1 Timothy 2:4-7 (MSG)
He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

 

How Do You Pray?

How do you pray when you are drowning?

Like Peter, who when sinking, called out, “Jesus, help me!”

How do you pray when you are a blind man begging for mercy?

Like the man from Jericho who called out persistently and loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

How do you pray when you’ve been isolated by your illness?

Like the leper who came to Jesus, implored him, kneeling down to him and said, “If you are willing you can make me clean.”

How do you pray when you are bedridden and cannot walk?

Like the paralyzed man who asked his friends to physically lift him up and place him before Jesus for prayer.

How do you pray when you’ve been bleeding and afflicted for 12 years?

Like the woman who searched for Jesus in the crowd and reached out for his healing touch.

How do you pray when you have been scorned for your sin and are sitting alone in the heat of the noonday sun?

Like the Samaritan woman by the well who was thirsty and asked Jesus for Living Water.

How do you pray when you have been convicted for your crime and are sitting on death row?

Like the criminal on the cross who confessed his sin and called out to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

How do you pray when you’re desperate for your child to be healed and the situation seems hopeless?

Like the father of the boy who was mute, deaf, and suffering from seizures, “Jesus, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!”

And how do we pray when we are at the end of our rope? When we are too weak to lift our heads? When we are too brokenhearted to utter words? We don’t. Jesus, our Faithful and Loving Intercessor, prays on our behalf.

Romans 8:26-27 (AMP)

Our Victory in Christ

In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will.

Romans 8:34 (AMP)
Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us.

Love,

Yolanda

I Long

I long to go where those before me have gone
Where death and sin do not belong

I long to go beyond the cares of this life
Where there is no hatred, evil, war, or strife

I long to run through the heavenly meadows in bloom
Where there is no sorrow, illness, darkness, or gloom

I long to receive the keys to my eternal home
Where hand and hand with Jesus I’ll roam

I long for the day when Jesus will rule
Heaven His throne, earth His footstool

I long to see my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life
Written there by my Savior who paid the ultimate price

I long to see Jesus face to face
Collapse at His feet, overwhelmed by His mercy and grace

So give the angelic order, LORD
For the trumpets to blow
Open the gates of the heavenly city, LORD
Where my soul longs to go

Written by Yolanda

And I saw the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, the home of God is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.” Revelation 21:3-4

“See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the from the tree of life.” Revelation 22:12-14

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let each one who hears them say, "Come." Let the thirsty ones come - anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge.  Revelation 22:17

I've Been Joy-Nabbed!

This school year, we have chosen the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as our preschool chapel theme. In August, I wondered how we’d explain spiritual “fruit” to preschool children. Would they understand that we were not talking about bananas and oranges but spiritual fruit? We decided it was probably a good idea, when dealing with 3-4 year olds, to start with “self-control”. So we talked about obedience, hands to yourself, being a first time listener, etc. We must have really driven this spiritual fruit home because now whenever we ask a fruit of the spirit question, their automatic response is “self-control”.  

Recently, we introduced the fruit of the spirit of “joy”. You’d think this would be an easy fruit to explain but it actually proved very difficult. How do you explain the difference between “happiness” and “joy” in preschool terms?

For example, 

Teacher: “If you receive a new toy, are you happy?”

Preschooler: “Yes!”

Teacher: “If that new toy breaks, are you still happy?”

Preschooler: “NO!”

Teacher: “But can you be joyful even if that new toy breaks?”

Preschooler: “No…”

Hmm…scrambling for an explanation, “Yes, you can. Even if your new toy breaks and you feel sad, you can still have the joy of Jesus in your heart.”

Blank stares from children….”Huh?”

The reason it’s so difficult to explain to children the difference between happiness and joy is because it is difficult concept for adults to grasp. Happiness is based on our outward circumstances while joy is based on an inward truth. How often do we allow our joy to be robbed by our outward circumstances?

Recently, I’ve been joy-nabbed. I’ve allowed the enemy to come in and rob me of my joy. The outward circumstances of this world are making me very unhappy. The other night, my husband asked me, “Why aren’t you sleeping? What are you worried about?”

Hmmm…let me see. How could I answer him honesty?

• The rape epidemics happening in nations throughout the world while the “powers that be” turn a blind eye.
• The exploitation and abuse of children who are being kidnapped and sold into sex slavery.
• Nations on the brink of World War III while we debate The Oscars.
• A terrorist organization gaining ground while we worry about political correctness.
• A political system that has been hijacked by greed and corruption because we have lost the will to fight and we are now surrendering our rights.
• A civil war of races among neighbors, who used to be friends, because celebrities and politicians have convinced us we are now enemies. All for an agenda that seems sinister in nature.
• My brothers and sisters in Christ being persecuted, burned alive, beheaded, crucified, sold, imprisoned throughout the world. And, I see this persecution already at work in my own country. Christians imprisoned for standing up for their faith, loss of jobs or position for posting scripture verses, sued for their personal beliefs and convictions, and even killed by terrorists for standing up for Jesus Christ. 

So, I didn’t know quite how to answer him other than to say, “I’ve been joy-nabbed.”

I’ve realized it’s OK for me to feel “unhappy” about all of these human atrocities. I SHOULD weep for those being abused and persecuted for their faith. I SHOULD lose sleep for those imprisoned for fighting the good fight. I SHOULD be burdened to pray for my nation, leaders, military, and first responders. Feeling compassion and sadness is having a small taste of what Jesus felt when he wept over Jerusalem or when he had compassion on the people who were like sheep without a Shepard. We should allow our unhappiness to move us to action and intercessory prayer. The scripture says we should remember those in prison as though we were in prison with them and remember those who are mistreated as if we felt the pain in our own bodies. (Hebrews 13:3)

BUT I should not allow my unhappiness to rob me of my joy. My joy comes from the inward truth that the Spirit of the Living God lives within me. The Creator of the Universe chose to leave His throne in Heaven, take on the limitations of a human body, just so that He could be close to me. He became Immanuel – God with us. In three years of ministry, Jesus changed the world. He conquered the devil and death and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father. But, God longed to dwell even closer to us. He longed to dwell in our hearts. So, He offers His life-changing Spirit to those willing to receive it. To those who believe, He adopts into His own family. He gives them the right to be called children of God, co-heirs with Jesus. (John 1:12; Romans 8:17)

Jesus promised that He would come back for me. He’s going to have the angels blow the trumpets. He’s going to peak through the clouds and with a loud shout, He’s going to say, “Yolanda, come up here!” And in a twinkling of an eye, I will see Him face to face. THAT IS MY TRUTH and it’s a sin to forget it and live my life in a state of darkness and depression when I should be walking in the power and love of Christ.  

[FOR] Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound [of the trumpet’s blast]! They walk, O LORD, in the light and favor of Your countenance! In Your name they rejoice all the day, and in Your righteousness they are exalted. Psalm 89:15-16 (AMP)

So, as I sit on the carpet of life and Jesus, my Master Teacher, asks me:

“Yolanda, can you still have joy in the midst of your unhappiness?”

“Yes, LORD.”

“And how do you defeat the thief that comes to steal and destroy your joy?”

“Self-Control!”

Lovingly, Jesus says, “Let’s go over this again….”

What can I say; I’m a slow learner. Thankfully, God’s not finished with me yet. 

How about you? Have you been a victim of a joy-nabbing?

Love,

Yolanda

PS: If you’ve been “joy-nabbed” by painful outward circumstances, and you long for the joy of Jesus to be your inward truth, it’s as simple as inviting Jesus into your life. He stands at the door of your heart waiting for you to invite Him in. So pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I ask you to forgive me of my sins. Thank you for dying on the cross on my behalf. Thank you that you conquered death so that I could have eternal life. I invite you to come live in my heart. Fill me and baptize me with Your Holy Spirit. I ask you to bless me with the Fruits of the Spirit and any and all gifts you want me to use for the furtherance of the Gospel. Give me a love for Your Word and wisdom and discernment to understand it. Reveal Yourself to me daily in all that I see and do. Protect me from attacks of the enemy who comes to rob and destroy. Lead and guide my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

  

The Master’s Coming

And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. SO REASSURE ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 (MSG)