Proudly Proclaiming, "I Am A Rebel!"

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 KJV)

I'm excited so let's dig right in. 

The word prodigal goes hand in hand with the word rebellion. 

People walking in rebellion want to appear to be tough and hard. They typically proudly proclaim, "I am a rebel!"

But in all actuality, they are very broken, sad, empty, scared, lonely, and hurt. 

Do not ask me how I know. 

I've heard a lot of people try to make sense of rebellion saying, 

"Why is that person rebelling?"

"They should know better than to rebel." 

"Look how they are hurting their spouse/parents/kids/friends!"

Rebellion is very simple. 

Rebellion is a "Jesus hole" problem. 

We were created to worship God. (Psalm 86:9-10) When we don't channel that worship to Him, it doesn't just go away. It leaks out somewhere else. And when it leaks out somewhere else, (sex, drugs, work) there's a price to pay.  

Rebellion typically hits after a person tries to make everyone (and sometimes everything) around them be their Jesus. And when everyone and everything fails (and everyone/everything does fail because only Jesus can be Jesus), rebellion is lurking and waiting to jump up and say, "I'm going to do what I want, where I want, when I want, how I want, with who I want." 

When someone tells me, "This is my life. I am going to do what I want." I simply (with love and without attitude say), "Ok. Just know, God always wants you back. And always know, you can choose the rebellious act but the fallout chooses you. Rebellion not only affects you but everyone in contact with you. I will be praying for you."

When we are dealing with someone in rebellion, we are not called to "nurse", reason with, beg, or cry about rebellion. We are called to love, and teach Absolute Truth with Love's agenda. 

Sometimes, we are embarrassed by someone else's rebellion. We don't want to be associated with their rebellion. Here's a newsflash....none of it is about me. It's about love, and doing everything I have been called to do in order to save that person's life. (Snatch them back from hell.)

That is not a dramatic codependent statement. That is a be led by the Spirit and do precisely what (as well as when/how/where) He tells me to do and not one thing more. (Galatians 5:16-17)

"But Genice, I don't want others to think I'm onboard by ministering to this person while they are wigging out."

Hello. Jesus ministered to murderers/tax collectors/prostitutes and other "notorious sinners". (Luke 15:1, Luke 7:39, Ephesians 5:1)

However, I am not suggesting you roll around in the mud with anyone. Ask God what He would have you do. 

For all those dealing with someone who is rebelling, please understand rebellion results in attention. It may be negative attention but it's attention none the less. Rebellion hardens hearts preventing (blocking) the ability for that person to hear God. Shaming/lecturing/threatening (deep cleansing breath) crying/pleading/throwing a hissy fit/ displaying a better/holier than thou attitude won't bring people back from rebellion. If anything, those things will only push a rebellious person deeper into rebellion. It will motivate them to stay longer trying to prove they are right, even if all they want to do is run as fast as they can admitting they are wrong. Love is the only thing that will win someone away from rebellion. 

I've been on both sides of the "prodigal fence". The only thing that brought me to the correct side (saved me from myself and hell...on earth and into eternity) was...love. The only thing that has kept me on the correct side is...love. And educating myself on who I am in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:15)

One powerful way to win a person away from rebellion (and it is a battle...Ephesians 6:12) is to tell them about Luke, chapter 15.

Which brings us back to our text. I really don't think the father was by chance taking a leisurely stroll outside just a whistle'n Dixie because he had nothing else to do and just happened upon his son. 

No. 

When something is missing in our lives, we mediate on it, we miss it, we mourn for it, we want it back. We are made in our Father's image. Our very dna cries out for reconciliation. (Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19) I think it's pretty safe to say, the prodigal son's father had been watching every-single-day for his son to return. Excited expectation! 

Praying and declaring and calling his son home and standing on God's promises for reconciliation. Going out every day (several times a day and night) to look and see, is today the day my son returns to me. Is this moment the moment when my son returns to me. 

That is how we deal with rebellion. 

If one of my girls were "gone"...I sure would.

 I would pray, declare, call, stand, and expect. I would watch. And WHEN (not if) I saw her, I would have compassion on her, and I would run to her! I would fall on her neck and I would kiss her! 

If you are currently walking in rebellion...SHAME ON YOU for upsetting your momma!

Totally kidding, lol! 

Just know, God always wants you back. (Romans 8:37-39, Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8) And always know, you can choose (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) the rebellious act but the fallout chooses you. (Romans 6:23) Rebellion not only affects you but everyone in contact with you. (Romans 6:23) I will be praying for you."

Father, I pray this blogpost be a catalyst for Your glory by bringing all prodigals home, in the name of Jesus! May none of us do one thing that would interrupt or interfere with Your process in delivering Your children back to You! May we all think, act, and do according to Love's agenda all the days of our lives, all for Your glory! 

Who Did This??!

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. (1 Corinthians 14:4-7, GWT)


One of my close friends made the following post on Facebook.

"My heart hurts for the two reporters that were murdered today. They were so young. Don't know if I can sleep tonight. I keep asking, "Why God, do you let these awful things happen?" I'm just disgusted with all the shootings of innocent people. My heart is broken for the two young lives taken today."

With her permission, I am responding here in an effort to to answer her questions to help her and others who may have the same questions.

First, I'd like to lay a little groundwork. Let's go all the way back to the beginning. 

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1, NLT) 

"The Word was God". How can the Word (the Bible) be God? We have to step out of our "natural" minds for a moment and understand God is spirit. (John 4:24) We have to use the faith God gave us to spiritually "see" in order to reconcile what appears to be foolishness. (Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 2:14)

Now that we have that foundation laid down, we move on to step two.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)

I've heard arguments and reasonings about how "the Bible is written by man". And "man" has their "own agendas" as well as "man forgets details", etc. Those arguments say, man is responsible for the Bible, not God. However, Corinthians 10:5 teaches us to cast those down and bring every thought to the obedience of Christ. Combine Corinthians 10:5 with 2 Timothy 3:16 and we resolve those arguments, reasonings, and theories.

Next.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 John 4:16, NLT) 

Please make a note, "God is love."

Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8, NLT) 

Again, please make a note, "God is love."

All that said, we can easily ascertain, (through Scripture...inspired by God Himself), God is love.

Not "Hollywood" love that is here today and gone tomorrow. 
Not raging hormone love. 
Not, "I love you as long as this all works out for me love".  
Not, "I love you until someone better comes along love."

True love. Real love. Authentic love. Absolute love. 

In His own words (Bible), God defines true love. (1 Corinthians 14:4-7)

Since God is love, He doesn't have the capacity to hate. Since it is impossible for Him to hate, it is impossible for Him to engage in or "allow", tragic, evil, hateful acts. God (who is love) never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8) God withholds no good things from us, not even sparing His own Son. (Romans 8:32)

So who is the originator of these terrible, hate filled, evil acts? Our Good Shepherd (John 10:11) answers that question. 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10, NKJV)

Would it not be counterproductive (as well as bipolar) for Jesus to come so that "we may have life and have life more abundantly", only to commit evil acts against us? 

This may be new information to some, saying, "Ok. You've shown me where the Bible says all this but I've always been told God in control." 

To that, I make this statement. I am a momma. I have a house full of girls. I would literally put myself in between a grizzly bear (or any other danger) and one of my kids. I actually have put myself in between a big, lunging, snarling, tweaked out dog and one of my girls. On two separate occasions. Its automatic. Mommas don't even have to think about it. It's like automatic tunnel vision. Baby...more aptly put, MY baby in danger...step aside Baby-Momma got this. It's a no brainer. Mommas fight for their babies. As a friend of mine puts it, "Mommas will charge hell with a water pistol for their babies."

Since that is true, how much more, will a perfect parent (God, our Father) fight for us? (Matthew 7:11, Matthew 6:26, Matthew 18:12-14)

However, I (as a parent) don't control any of my girls. Anyone who has ever dealt with a toddler knows that fact. Selah!

Neither does God control any of us. And, God doesn't set us up for tragedy anymore than we would set our children up for tragedy.

Jesus (God's own Son) "could not do any miracles" in His own hometown. (Mark 6:5, NLT) In that setting, it is obvious God wasn't in control. So, God who never changes, is in control of us today but not Jesus in His own hometown? (Hebrews 13:8) 

Saying, God is in control may sound like really good theology. I don't know everything, but I haven't found a place in God's Word to verify the statement. 

We choose who we serve. (Joshua 24:15)
We choose to open the door...or not. (Revelation 3:20)
We choose to submit to God...or not. (James 4:7)

Every day, we are faced with choices that bring life and choices that bring death. God tells us to choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:19) However, we choose.

Sometimes, choices collide and tragedy strikes. I personally believe, when tragedy does strike, Jesus cries right along with us. (John 11:35)

When a child is standing over a dying parent. When a mother's baby is sick in the hospital. When a young widow is arranging her husband's funeral. In other words, any time tragedy strikes. I really-really-really cringe when I hear someone say (with a long sigh), "Well, God is in control." I cringe because I see it making people question God's love. Instead of leaning on God during those times they say, "If God is love, where is all His love right now?! And how can He allow this?"

In all actuality, we would most likely love for God to be in control. If He were in control, our responsibility would lessen and we could just let Him sweat it. We could throw up our hands and say, "The Big Controller in the sky is in control." I digress.

The answer has to be, God didn't control Jesus' situation and He doesn't control ours.




Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for my sweet friend who is has all these questions. I pray this answers her questions. I pray she walk in the measure of faith You placed in her. I pray her eyes see, her ears hear, her heart is full of peace, and she lays down in sweet sleep. I also pray for every reader right now, that they dig deep into Your Word and know You, really come to know You and Your wonderful goodness! May we never find ourselves in a position calling evil good and good evil. May we all know You so well, we immediately recognize the source of every situation. May we all walk in Truth, Your Word, in the name of Jesus!


John 14:13
Matthew 13:16
Proverbs 3:34

Filtered

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV)

Last Sunday, I was at church in our worship service. Momentarily, I looked around at the people in the service. As people were pouring their hearts out to God, I thought to myself, I am so sure each person feels the exactly the way I do right now. I was wanting to give God more…more honor, praise, love, and worship. 

I brought my focus back to worshiping God and in that moment, He gave me a vision. 

I saw myself as a small girl, back when I was a tomboy. 

My hair was in a disheveled ponytail, my face (and clothing) was muddy, (as it often was), and I was holding up a (very well used) dandelion. In other words, a torn up weed! I extended my arms out as if to offer the tattered weed to someone in front of me. In a split second, I saw a bright light and suddenly, I was a grown woman with every hair in place wearing very nice clothes and a beautiful huge crown on my head. My arms were extended out holding a huge silver platter overloaded with huge bricks of gold. 

I know that is a lot of “huge"…but trust me, 

the word huge doesn’t even begin to define what I saw! 

The platter was so full, there is no way (in the natural) that I would’ve been strong enough to pick the platter up, much less extend it out in front of me.

God spoke to me and said, “Think to how you feel when your girls offer you a wildflower or a rock. You treasure those “offerings” because you receive them through love. When I receive an offering, I receive it through the Blood of Jesus and there is a supernatural exchange which turns an offering from what it is into it’s purest form. I love a cheerful giver!"

In 1 Samuel 16:7, the bible tells us the LORD looks at our hearts! He doesn’t see things they way we see them!

I thank God, He filters me! 

Epically blown away. That is all.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for each reader right now and ask that they may see themselves the way You see them. Through the filter of love! Through the Blood of Jesus, You supernaturally make the exchange that takes us from what we were to what You created us to be! I pray each of us walk daily in everything You have planned and purposed for our lives! We love You LORD! We thank You for speaking to us through Your Word, dreams, visions, and the people You put in our path! May we all commit to becoming more like You everyday and see every person in our lives through Your filter of love!