Tommy Mitchell / The Rurban Church Blog

This Could Be the Day!

This could be it!  How absolutely beyond description it would be!  The experience itself would be unlike anything we have ever encountered! The transformation it would bring would be, in many instances, complete and far reaching!  The impact to the community would be evidenced within hours - maybe less!

This could be the day!  The day that we gathered together in worship and adoration of a Holy God! The day that somehow we collectively decided to no longer be in control!  The day that as worship unfolded we allowed the Holy Spirit full use of His roles - to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come! This could be the day of yielding control of His church back to Him!  This could be the day of something far more than just a "revival!"  This could be the day that an awakening of God's spirit takes us to a place of service, sacrifice, and salvation like no other day!

This could be the day!  Sadly, many will read this, and longingly sigh, thinking it would be great - but doubtful it will happen.   We must live in expectation of this very thing - and we must live surrendered lives to the Lord ourselves!  This could be the day!

The Bible says that "He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask OR IMAGINE!" Ephesians 3:20.    I choose to ask Him who is able to unleash a flood of conviction, a flood of transformation, a flood of power upon His church today!  I choose to IMAGINE it happening at ABC!  What a fabulous day it will be!

This could be the day!

Pray for Peace!

Today a Pearl Police Officer lost his life, another officer was shot, and a third injured.  They were serving a warrant.  Serving warrants is an everyday task for Police Departments nationwide.  The reality - though done everyday - they are still dangerous. 

When something like this happens, especially to departments where I have served and ministered, it breaks my heart!  The general public may think they know something of how these officers feel, but really, you don't!  

Pray for these officers in this wonderful department!  So many of those officers who serve there are now truly brokenhearted and filled with grief for losing a brother officer.  In the days ahead, they will have a hard time even finding a safe outlet to express themselves. 

They will have many sincere expressions given to them by the public.  A simple "thanks for what you do" and "I will keep you in my prayers" will be sufficient.   Please do those things for these officers.

Unfortunately, they will also have to deal with people who know absolutely no facts - but are somehow experts on what "should have been done!"  Those people, unfortunately, are in great abundance as well. 

Remember these officers and their families in prayer!  Express a word of sympathy and support.  Understand that the officers and their families are "all family!" No one does what they do - and no one really knows how they feel - except other officers. 

Pray that God will heal, restore a sense of safety and security, and will bless all the families involved.

Pray that God will grip the hearts of people so that senseless acts of violence will cease! 

Pray for peace!

Breaking Free!

Are you being held captive by something? A bad habit? A frustrating attitude? A troublesome, devastating sin? 

Do you you try to do better? Promise yourself, "that was the last time I am ever doing that?"

Then - there it is again! In spite of your best efforts!  Friend, you have a stronghold working in your life.  Personally, I don't believe these frustrating habits, sins, and attitudes are that hard to change! The reason I don't think they are that hard is that I have read the Bible!

Here is what it says: 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

Somehow, we Christians seem to have accepted the concept that every habitual sin must have weeks, months, even years of therapy and self-help to overcome - and then you are not really well - you are just maintaining freedom by the slightest of margins.   Come on - read the scripture!

1. We live in the world - but we do not wage war as the world does!  I hope that is true for you! I live here! I see the same mess - listen to the same junk - and am exposed to all the darkness that Satan can muster.  I live in the same world as everyone else - but PRAISE GOD - I do not have to deal with it in the same manner as people without Christ!

2. The Weapon we fight with are not weapons of the world!  Well, they aren't if indeed we are walking in the Spirit of God!  I don't have to try "self-help!" I don't have to submit to "secular methods" to be free from bondage and strongholds in my life.  If I just "try harder" I will just "fail larger!"

3. On the contrary, they have DIVINE POWER to demolish strongholds. Friends, those are very strong terms.  Demolish! I like that!  Just say you are having trouble with being a closet "potty mouth!"  You cuss a lot!  Well, you have a heart problem. What comes out of that mouth came from your heart! You will not correct that with putting money in a jar when you cuss, or pinching yourself real hard, or denying yourself dessert every time you cuss.  You will only resolve it when you use weapons of divine power to demolish it!  Prayer, confession, genuine repentance, followed by FILLING UP on the Word of God and Spirit of God in your heart!

4. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God!  Wow! Sounds like Christ set loose in the believer's life can DEMOLISH all the arguments, traps, and snares of the pretense Satan uses against us! And against our knowledge of God. Doesn't sound to me like we are helpless in dealing with Satan!

5. And we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ! Ah! A key point at the end. In order to take captive our thoughts, where temptations germinate, we have to desire to be obedient to Christ!  Jesus asked, "Do you want to get well?"  Seems like anyone who is sick or sin-sick would want to be well - but that is not always true.  Do you like your porn more than you love Jesus?  Do you love living fast and loose more than living fully for Christ? Do you like your wagging tongue and the thrill of gossiping against others more than exalting Christ with your speech?  The only way to take captive these behaviors is fully give yourself to Christ! Then, the power of the Spirit to enable you to truly take these thoughts captive and turn them to obedience is present.

Do you want to get well? Do you really desire to overcome?  Then one must FILL UP on Christ! And use His weapons of warfare - the buckle of truth (the word of God) the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helment of salvation, the foot protection of the gospel of peace.

Get free - and stay FREE!

A Day of Crisis / Prayer!

Yesterday was my day off! It was fairly typical! It was mixed with rest and ministry! I got to thinking about all that took place yesterday, and I have to say it was also a day of prayer!

Prayer #1  - At 6:30 am I was at the church to drive our mission team over to the airport to catch their beginning flight to Peru.  Before we got on the van to drive, I prayed with them and for them! (by the way, God answered our prayer - they made it with little difficulty and all their luggage arrived!)

Prayer # 2 - In the afternoon, a deputy called me.  He said that even though I no longer serve as their chaplain, he had run across a need - an elderly lady in a mobile home had apparently had her money stolen and had no food. He thought I could probably help! I could!  So, I went to DG and purchased some food and took it to her.  FUNNY PRAYER FOLLOWED.  As I approached the porch, their was an unhappy dog!  I prayed - Lord, please don't let that dog bite me.  The lady appeared on the porch and this is no joke - this really happened - I asked the lady if her dog would bite.  She said she had never had any trouble with it.  As I approached it did not appear that way to me!  Then she said, and I quote, "this isn't my dog!"  So, I went to the other side of her trailer to her back door!  Prayer answered! (The dog story is funnier if you have ever watched the original Pink Panther!)

Prayer #3 - Around 4:30 pm, I got a call that one of our members had been in a fairly serious accident at Highway 612 and 613!  When I got there, he was in an ambulance awaiting life-flight - and his wife was on the shoulder of the road.  She is one of my very good friends.  I hugged her for comfort - and we prayed right there for God's healing graces on her husband!

Prayer #4 - Andrea and I drove on over to USA Med and encoutered the family while they worked on this gentlemen.  I prayed with and for the family - again that God would provide. God answered that prayer too - after a good number of stitches to the face - it appears that he will fine. No life threatening injuries!

Prayer # 5 - After we left the hospital, we went to get a bite to eat.  While we were eating we got a call that one of our elderly members appeared to be dying.  Silent prayer - Lord bless this family.

Prayer #6 - As we approached home, we got the call that he had indeed passed away. Andrea and I went to the home - and there again - before leaving the family - we gathered together and I prayed for some dear friends and family. 

The first prayer offered for others was at 6:30 am - the last at a little after 10:00 pm last night! 

So, it was day of challenges and crises, but it was all tempered by a day of prayer!  God is good!

Upping Your Game!

"Upping your game" is usually a reference to improving our performance in some area.  Often we use the phrase to indicate an increased effort in a sport - like playing with an advanced determination or intensity.  It is to be noticeably more intense or concentrated in the game, thus "upping our game!"

What does it look like to "up our game" spiritually?  It may involve more of some things - like a more devoted practice of prayer or study of the scriptures. It may include more consistency in other areas like sharing one's faith or connecting with people in their needs.

I think, however, that the primary component of "upping the game" spiritually is becoming more obedient to Christ! Certainly an increased obedience may mean more prayer, more scripture, etc., but the intensity of Christian living that makes a difference in my life and the lives of others comes from obeying Him.  

For me, "upping my game" spiritually is about listening to Him - following Him - hearing from Him - doing and saying whatever He tells me to say or do!  It is to follow Him without hesitation - offering no arguments - no delays - none of my better ideas! 

He says, "Why do call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46  That verse alone indicates to me that immediately obeying Him is essential.  It is the only way I can truthfully call Him Lord! 

Right now, at least as far as my ministry goes, it seems like the 2nd half - the last quarter - the final stretch! Our circumstances scream out that it is time for the "A" game! It is time to turn up the intensity! The great thing for God's children is that God Himself, working in us as the Holy Spirit, will provide the intensity if we will simply trust Him and obey Him! 

Game on!

When God Goes Dark!

Sometimes it seems that God "goes dark!"  We are seeking a word from Him - seeking an answer - seeking wisdom - seeking understanding - seeking a solution to a fairly immediate problem - and it seems that there is no answer!   Those times, when the answer is so desperately needed yet seems to not be forthcoming are very trying and even frustrating! 

What we do next usually speaks volumes about ourselves!  Often, at that point of ninth hour silence on the part of God, we come up with our own solution!  We go ahead and act in the best wisdom of the moment - the best solutions with which we can pull together.   They may be adequate solutions! Our best efforts may solve the problem - temporarily or permanently!  The problem is - if we know we need to follow God on the matter - and that our solutions are not going to be THE solution, then we may be acting before God is ready!  It is difficult, I know!

Just some observations and suggestions from experience.......

God is always on time - but not necessarily on our time!

God sometimes allows pain and even difficult circumstances to persist in order to teach us patience!
(If you have been praying for patience,  expect trials! God uses them to perfect patience!)

If you know you can solve the problem - but you also know that it will not be the solution that is likely to be pleasing to God - then wait! 

God may take you past your understanding of the "due date" on the troubles you face!  He has a time in mind for helping you!

Make sure you do not have unresolved sin issues that are blocking you from hearing from God! God is under no obligation to hear any of us when we are living however we please or living with and practicing what we know to be sin!

Waiting on God is not something we always get right! Sometimes we are waiting when God wants us to act - and sometimes we act when God wants us to wait! I know it sounds impossible - but we will know which it is when we are walking closely with Him! 

Finally - God does not really "go dark!"  He is ever present and ever faithful!  He is always working! The problem is not in God!  We, on the other hand, are in great need of following, trusting, and seeking Him!  We will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart!  At least, that is what the scripture says!

 

 

Hey, You Got Problems?

You got problems?  What do you do with them?  Most of us usually fall into one of these responses when we have pressing problems.

1. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen!    We don't even add that next line - "noboby knows but Jesus!" There are very few problems we face that have never been faced before by someone else!  The "nobody but me" aspect of this response is a common tool of the enemy!  If we get "isolated" and believing that we are the only ones who are having this particular problem or that have problems at all, then we really are defeated!   Tell solid and trusted friends about your trouble! You will find two things - you are not alone - and your burden will be shared by others.

2. It's not fair!  And, it may not be!  But inequality and unfairness entered into the world at the fall of mankind in sin!  But not all problems are the results of unfairness.   Focus more on solutions than trying to afix blame on what made your circumstances unfair.

3. Resignation!  This is just the way it is!  There is NOTHING I can do! I give up!  Well, even in the worst of problems, we can do what we should do first, then second, and then third!  We can pray! We can "cast all our care on Him!"   We will find that God will either remove or modify the problem - or walk with us through it!   Lessons that are extremely valuable are often learned when we walk through problems actively with the Lord!

4. Anger!  Enough said! We just get mad, mad, mad!  And then we take our problems out on people who have no idea why we just snapped their heads off!   An initial response to a problem or circumstance of anger for the first minute or two might be a natural response. It is never a good ongoing response.  We are adding problems when we get angry over troubles.

5. Faith!  A faith response is the goal!  This is not a passionless response.  We may feel deep sorrow, a moment of anger, fear, and / or great concern when a problem comes our way.  But we can develop a genuine faith response that seeks out the wisdom, work, and wonder of God in addressing our needs.  Having a faith response means we move beyond doubting that God still loves us! It means we don't question whether or not God is in control!  It means we don't have to act as if God is trying to "get us!"  By faith we come to the Father with trust that He loves us and will deliver us in His way and His time! 

A Trusted Friend!

Don't know if you have one - a truly trusted friend - but everyone needs at least one!  You know - the kind of friend that you can tell anything - and when you are done - they are still your friend!  That true friend - who will encourage you - love you - and gently bring you back to a better way of thinking - is rare!  I have not had too many of those in my life - and have very few like that right now!

A trusted friend never betrays a confidence!

A trusted friend can listen!

A trusted friend is large on grace - low on judgment!

A trusted friend is willing to let you blow off steam - then laugh with you when you realize things just aren't that bad!

A trusted friend will trust you as well!

A trusted friend will really pray for you - and with you!

A trusted friend will help you get up off the mat!

A trusted friend will celebrate your victories and not be jealous of them!

A trusted friend will help you get past your failures!

A trusted friend will be priceless to you as you go through life!

New York Times - March 20, 1858

The great prayer awakening of 1857-58 was reported on by the New York Times! Here is a sample.....

"The great wave of religious excitement which is now sweeping over this nation, is one of the most remarkable movements since the Reformation . . . Travelers relate that on cars and steamboats, in banks and markets, everywhere through the interior, this matter is an absorbing topic. Churches are crowded; bank-directors' rooms become oratories; school-houses are turned into chapels; converts are numbered by the scores of thousands. In this City, we have beheld a sight which not the most enthusiastic fanatic for church-observances could ever have hoped to look upon;--we have seen in a business quarter of the City, in the busiest hours, assemblies of merchants, clerks and working-men, to the number of some 5,000, gathered day after day for a simple and solemn worship. Similar assemblies we find in other portions of the City; a theatre is turned into a chapel; churches of all sects are open and crowded by day and night." (4)

"It is most impressive to think that over this great land tens and fifties of thousands of men and women are putting to themselves at this time in a simple, serious way, the greatest question that can ever come before the human mind--'What shall we do to be saved from sin?'" (4)

May we pray and act on our prayers until the "paper of record" is speaking of the great movement of God in our day!

A Great Work!

My prayer is that God will do a great work in our church body resulting in a great work in the community! The community needs a grand touch from God! It needs that touch because the church needs a touch! When the church has a great work going on among the body, then there will automatically be a great work going on in the community.  You see, a "great work" that only exists in the church body and particularly in the church building is not a complete work! God always does His work in us to enable us to work out among those who are unreached in the community!

The blessings of God cannot just stop in the church family! Those blessing have to flow - rivers of living water flowing through the body into the community!  Someone says, "Oh, God is doing a great work in our church!" Great! How many people are living life differently? How many marriages are being saved? How many people are dropping their porn?  How many people have cleaner language?  How many people have started sharing their faith? How many people have started giving generously? How many people are being ministered to in the community? How many people are restoring relationships?  How many people are beginning to feast on the Word of God?  How many people are packing the church for worship?  A great work from God is transformational - and lasts longer than a week or so!

My prayer is that God will do a great work in me!  It's time!  My prayer is that God will do a great work in ABC!   My further prayer is that we will be willing to obey Him, lay aside our stuff, and do whatever it takes to follow faithfully!  It's time! It's time!

Holy Spirit, Rain Down!