Meditations by John Dean

Sitting on the Rock

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:11:00 +0000

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalm 18:2 KJV

This is such a powerful scripture because David seemed to be shouting out his personal ownership of the blessings of God. God had delivered him from the unrighteous hand of Saul, and it must have been hard for David to contain his emotions. Eight times he used the word "my" in this scripture. In the Scripture the number eight is the number of new beginnings. David knew when God preserved his life that He had given him a new beginning.

David not only claimed ownership of the rock of salvation but the rock of salvation claimed ownership of David. He went into great detail in this scripture, explaining all the aspects and personality of the rock of salvation. The rest of us can claim those same benefits.

When I was twelve years old I too had a rock experience with the Lord that would prove to be prophetic of my life calling.

In 1947 my mother, my step dad, and I lived on a river bank in central Texas in a 12 x 14 foot tent. We were not any poorer than many other folks were at that particular time. My step father earned very little money working on one of the local ranches. However, with all the fish we would catch and the squirrels we could shoot, we lived pretty well while enjoying the simple life.

One day I walked down the dirt steps I had hewn out of the tall river bank, walked across the shallow river to the other side, and sat down on a big rock. I was looking back across the river at our little simple dwelling-when I had an experience that would set the course of my life.

The Spirit of the Lord came and stood in front of me and began telling me what I was to do. I seemed to know Him without ever having met Him. I was not afraid...and for some reason I had an unusual peace. My only response to Him was, "Yes Sir"... which is still my only response to Him. He did not have a solid form as a man. He seemed to be a clear yet cloud-like form which was overwhelming to me. It was then that the Lord called me into the ministry and gave special instructions to me as to what I was to do. After His instructions to me, He vanished and left me sitting on the rock. I sat there for a while wondering how much a bashful twelve year old boy could do when he did not even go to church, much less have a personal relationship with God? It never crossed my mind to not do what the Lord told me, because I was always obedient to instructions that were given to me. I sat there for a while thinking about what had just happened. I finally got up and walked back across the river and up the hand-hewn dirt steps back to our tent.

Even though it was several years before I was miraculously saved, I never lost sight of my rock experience. As a matter of fact, after getting up from the altar where I gave my heart to the Lord, I immediately went about doing what the Lord had called me to do while I was sitting on the rock.

I suppose many people could tell of their own rock sitting experience...and should. Each rock sitting story is different from the other but makes no less of an impact. All of us should shout our testimony with David...

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

If it has been a while since you have shared your own rock sitting experience with someone, why not do it today?

Father,

Thank you for a man like David, who was not afraid to shout out his love for You. I too am not afraid to shout out my love for You and what You have done for me. I no longer live in a tent on a river bank, yet I remain thankful for the experience of those days and especially for my rock sitting experience with You.

Amen.

Fathers/Instructors

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:11:00 +0000

For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

1 Corinthians 4:15

As I was reading this scripture the other day I saw the term 'many fathers' in a different light. The word 'fathers' implies that there could be many different father type influences that are needed in our development.

In this scripture Paul is making reference to the multitude of schoolmasters, tutors, and governors in Corinth who were instructors. Among them were a great number of doctors, wise men, Scribes and Pharisees who pretended to instruct in Christ, but without a father's heart. Paul seems to imply that the instruction can only be complete through the fathers influence.

Paul also seems to show the difference between instructors and fathers. Every father should be an instructor, but every instructor is not necessarily a father.

I believe the qualifier for being a true spiritual father in Christ has to do with ones own personal relationship to Christ. This relationship does not necessarily have anything to do with age or education, but rather depth and purpose.

I remember a man that was not much older than me and yet he had a profound impact on my life. Every time I was around this man I would always leave better than when I came. He seemed to challenge me to be better without saying a word. It has been fifty years since I have seen this man but I still think of some of the things I learned from him. I never told him what a fatherly influence he had on my life. At that time such a thing would not have made any sense to me.

My friend taught me how to be strong and yet not overpowering, meek but not weak, understanding but not compromising. I learned to serve others by watching him masterfully deal with people with a variety of needs. He was humane but never shaken, committed to a full day of work but knew how to enjoy a Sabbath rest. He dearly loved the Lord and expected Him to be with him every where he went. He also had a genuine love for the welfare of people.

These are some of the standards I learned from my young father. I have tried to apply these standards to my life over the last fifty years. I have also tried to pass them on to those who follow me.

After many years I came to the conclusion that there is a father's anointing that God Himself puts on us as He would any other anointing. Any man can be fatherly, but that does not necessarily constitute a father's anointing. Being around one who is fatherly may be a great comfort when you are in need. However being around one with a father's anointing could effectively change your life as did my friend's influence changed my life.

One of the purposes of the father's anointing is found in Malachi 4:5-6 where it talks about the restoration and purpose of the father's anointing. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Even thou Paul did not see many fathers in his day I am confident we will see many men with the father's anointing in our day. This may be a good time for all the father candidates to begin to cry out for that very special father's anointing.

Father,

I thank you for this season and the promise of an anointing that will restore relationships and families. Help us Lord to desire to be a part of the ministry of mending and "restoring the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers."
Amen

THE STRANGER IN THE BANK

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:40:00 +0000

But when God, who set me apart before I was born and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with another human being at any time…

Gal 1:15-16 ISV

It's easy for me to thank God while reminiscing about all the father figures He's put in my life.

I suppose one of the dearest men that I have had the privilege of meeting over the years was an ordinary man…yet he had a profound impact on my life. He is best portrayed by his humility and sensitivity to the Lord.

He taught the adult Sunday School class in a small church—but there was nothing small about his love and commitment to the Lord. He was the Godliest man I have ever had the privilege of meeting. He was also one to emulate when it came to trusting the Lord in each area of his life.

In order to do this story justice, I must start at the beginning.

One day while standing in a bank line waiting to cash a check—I turned just in time to see this man turn and look at me from another line. After a short glance he turned the opposite direction—bowed his head and began to weep for me. God had showed him that I had a call on my life, but that I was lost.

At that point we had never seen each other before. After cashing my check I left the bank and went home.

For the next three weeks the image of this man was continually on my mind and in my thoughts. I could not sleep at night for seeing his tears falling on the marble floor of the bank. I did not know that at the same time this stranger had three weeks of sleepless nights as well.

Three weeks later I woke up on Sunday morning with a real urge to go to church. I got in my car and drove to the closest church, but I had a sense that God said "No, not this one." I then drove from church to church and each time I stopped, I sensed the Lord say "No, not this one." After a while I had driven all the way across town and was now sitting in front of a little church with what seemed to be a light all around it. I seemed to have the sensation of being pulled to the front door. I got out of my car and went inside and sat on the back row next to the aisle. I only sat there for a moment when everyone began to go to their Sunday School classes. As I followed the people my age into a classroom, the first person I saw was the man in the bank. He was the Sunday School teacher and was standing in front of the chalk board. When he saw me he turned (as he had in the bank), and bowed his head and began to thank God for answering his prayer. That morning I accepted Jesus into my heart.

I soon moved from that town and have not seen the man since. He will never know the profound impact he had on my life. As a result of his prayers, I was birthed into the kingdom of God. I am sure by now this dear man has gone on to be with the Lord. However, I am still making deposits into his spiritual bank account with the men and women I birth into the kingdom. Thank God that this same kind of passionate praying still works today.

After all these years I often think about this humble man. I still have that deep desire to be as effective as he was. Even though I have traveled all over the world (he never made it far from his home), I have come to the conclusion that it is not how far you go but how effective you are. He was effective!

Father,

Thank you for allowing me to start my Christian life by seeing humility and passion for the lost at its highest possible level. Help me to be an example to others as this wonderful spiritual father was to me.

Amen!

My Trip to Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 13:18:00 +0000

I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.

And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 ASV

Mary (the mother of Jesus) must have had many such special moments because the Bible said that she hid them in her heart.

Some years ago I had several unbelievable experiences over a period of about a week that would forever change my life. I, like Mary, hid those experiences in my heart for years without ever sharing them. I suppose the reason I did not share them was because they were such intimate experiences with God and I was not sure anyone else would understand them.

One such experience took place one night when the Lord came into my room and took me to heaven. I could see my spirit leaving my body laying there on the bed. I continued to be lifted up until I saw the roof of our home and then the street and then the city and so on. All of this took place very quickly. I could not see the one who was lifting me up because he was always behind me.

After leaving the earth I then began flying over the New Jerusalem. It was beautiful even though I was never allowed to set foot on the streets. I was only to be escorted over the city for the purpose of showing me how close the city was to completion. I was shown the roofs of the dwelling places and that they were almost finished and ready for occupancy. I was captivated by seeing the city from my perspective. I was also captivated by the fact that all of the dwelling places had steeple type roofs that were being completed. I was informed that they would be finished very soon and that I must minister with urgency knowing that Jesus would return unexpectedly.

After the trip to heaven I was then returned to my body. I first saw my city, then my street, then my house, then my body and then my spirit was placed back into my sleeping body.

Since that time I have had more of an urgency in my spirit than ever. Everything I do in the kingdom regardless of how small-I do it with a spirit of urgency.

The message of this experience was not only to change my life, but to establish a sense of urgency in these times. Since that time, I have continued to learn many other lessons that keep developing in me more of a heavenly purpose. The heavenly pattern that God showed me is for the kingdom at large.

Such was the case when God gave Moses the pattern for the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle that Moses built was only a type and shadow of that which is in the heavenlies.

The unfinished roofs that God showed me in heaven were also a type and shadow. I am quite sure that God does not have construction workers as we think of them in heaven. However the things that God showed me were so I could understand that His expectation of me was no less than that of Moses with the Tabernacle. I was to use this experience for the glory of God and to bring others into hope driven by passion.

What I saw in heaven was breathtaking and I agree with Paul in 1Corinthians 2:9, "… Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

Father,

Thank you for allowing me to go to heaven. Since that time I have been faithful to the urgency of the hour and knowing that time is shorter than when I first began. Even though that experience happened many years ago I am no less excited about my call and purpose than I was then. My time clock is different than yours, but you are always on time and I praise you for it.

Amen.

Don't Eat the Apple

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:57:00 +0000

It seems to be in the nature of man to be impatient with the process of God. Man is rarely satisfied with where he is in life and he certainly does not like the word "wait." In man's mind the interpretation of the word "wait" is never.

The first sign of impatience was evident in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Impatience seems to be the result of misdirected ambition. God gave us the anointing to be ambitious when He told us to rule the earth. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious in the context of wanting to please God. That lines up with 2Corinthins 5:9 where it says "Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him".

However, Satan came along and saw an opportunity to invert our Godly ambition into impatience. Impatience usually has to do with self will as well as the judging of God's timing. There has always been this idea in man that if he could get to the next level (whatever that is), he could be more useful to God.

Eating the apple seemed to be a good idea in order to take man to that next level, so he ate the apple. Mankind was of course deceived by Satan. The root of impatience is to attain something without paying the price. Consequently mankind is prone to fall for the old 'apple' trick.

I remember seeing a For Sale sign on this beautiful farm in East Texas which had a gorgeous one hundred year old two-story house. I really wanted that farm. Somehow I justified in my mind that I could serve God better if I could add a retreat center to my ministry and this would fit the bill. I began to pray and God said "No, not now". I reluctantly said, "Okay Lord I am willing to wait". However a few days later the banker called and said that he would do the deal for me with nothing down and no payment for a year. I thought maybe God changed His mind-so I bought the farm. I began to pour thousands of dollars into restoring the farm and property and preparing it to live in for my dream ministry. However, it wasn't long before the bottom fell out of the market and money was short and the value of the farm dropped by a third. I ended up selling the farm for much less than I paid for it and lost thousands and thousands of dollars in the process.

My repentance for the sin of presumption and impatience was deep and sincere. Even to this day I am still sorry for letting myself be deceived like Adam and Eve.

It took years to financially recover from my act of impatience even though my forgiveness was instant.

Since that time I've tried to be a good father example of wait to the impatient ones who are following me. However after having said that, the lesson of waiting seems to be a life journey rather than a destination.

Father,

I thank you for teaching me that all my reasoning and jumping ahead of You is an inverted ambition and is the outworking of impatience. Forgive me for this sin and help me to be a better example to those who follow me who are also tempted by Satan to eat the apple. Help us all to be God led and ambitious for Your will.

Amen!

You Are Not That Good

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:12:00 +0000

(Ecclesiastes 7:20 Message Bible) There's not one totally good person on earth, Not one who is truly pure and sinless.

No matter how hard one tries to be righteous, Romans 3:10 tells us, "There is none righteous, no, not one." Isaiah 64:6 even goes so far as to say that "all our righteousness are as filthy rags." When you stop and think about this you may even wonder...why bother to try if your righteousness is no better than "filthy rags."

Apparently we have a different view of righteousness than the Lord has. Our view of righteousness often has to do with all the things we avoid doing. Whereas the Lord's view of righteousness has to do with what He did for us that we could not do for ourselves. This concept puts a different slant on righteousness.

There is something in mankind that makes him prone to base his righteousness on the "law of do's and don'ts." No matter how much he understands the effect of the cross he still wants to help God out by his good works.

The interesting thing in most cases is that man is not even aware of his religious actions. According to Matthew 23:5, he just wraps his "righteous robes" around himself and "broadens the phylacteries" on his forehead. For those who are not familiar with the term "phylacteries"...it is a little box full of scriptures that the Pharisees tied to their foreheads.

As a young preacher, I had an experience that still remains fresh in my mind today. There was probably no one who tried harder to live a more disciplined life before the Lord than me. I was a part of a holiness denomination that had a long list of things you must avoid doing if you were going to be holy. I followed that list to the letter of the law as far as I knew. My desire was do everything in my power to fulfill Romans 12:1 where it says "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

One day while having coffee with a good friend, he told me how much he and his wife appreciated me. He said I had always been there for them when they needed prayer and counsel. However, he proceeded to tell me that he was somewhat perplexed as to why I did not think as much of our friendship as they did. He said we have always told you all of our problems and you have never told us any of yours. He then followed that with the statement that still rings in my ears to this day and that is, "You are not all that good."

My loving the Lord was never in question but perhaps my 'Holiness List' was. Perhaps my friend understood the above scriptures more than I realized.

It has been many years since that day at the coffee shop with my friend, but our conversation is as fresh in my mind as if it happened this morning.

I am sure I never had a "Phariseeistic attitude" with a "phylactery" on my forehead, but if that was what came across to my friend then it was a reminder to me to be aware of a self-righteous spirit. After all "There is none righteous, no, not one."

Father,

My prayer is for those who try hard to be righteous and to walk in Your favor. Help all of us Lord to relax and enjoy the journey in life as we follow You. Thank you Lord for what You did for us that we could not do for ourselves.

Amen

Keeping Score

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:02:00 +0000

(John 4:1-3 Message Bible) Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed

(although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people.

So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.

Keeping score is one of the most divisive acts I know of. In the case of our text the Pharisees were actually keeping score of who had baptized the most people-Jesus or John. One would think it would not make any difference as long as people were being baptized. However, that is not the way score keepers look at things.

Score keepers look at things differently than most people. As a matter of fact I have never seen a score keeper who actually confessed to being a score keeper. Their confession is that they only want things to be right and see that nobody else is being taken advantage of.

Every family seems to have a score keeper and that usually means that they are the self appointed ones to police the rest of the family's actions.

There seems to be certain characteristics of a score keeper that are unique to them. For example, you never seem to win an argument with them…because they are usually more relentless than everyone else in the family. If a family decision needs to be made-their opinion is usually the one you go with. It is not worth all the "I told you so" comments for years to come.

My own siblings have all gone on to be with the Lord, so I now feel free to use one of my sisters as an example of a score keeper. Otherwise I would be getting into a heap of trouble. Speaking of trouble-the last thing you ever want to do is to get in trouble with the family score keeper. My sister had the rest of us so well trained (or scared) that it got to the point that she did not even have to say anything. All she had to do was just show up and the rest of us would straighten up and start smiling and doing what we could to please her. When she was around we were always on our best behavior. No liberties were taken and her opinion was always asked and usually agreed upon. We even seemed to sit up a little straighter in our chairs when she was around.

I do not remember any of us ever saying anything derogatory about her while she was around. We would always wait until she left before saying all of those derogatory remarks about her. We even sort a whispered while saying all of those nasty things for fear she might hear us. I am sure it was fear that made all the rest of us smiling hypocrites.

In God's eyes I wonder whose sins are the worst, the score keeper Pharisees or the smiling hypocrites who gossip behind the score keeper's back.

Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he said in Romans 3:10…"There is none righteous, no, not one."

Father,

Forgive us for the sins that we commit against one another in the disguise of being righteous. Help us to see more clearly that our own peculiarities are many times an offence to others as well as to You. Help us to seek Your righteousness and honesty as we deal with others in love and humility.

Amen.

Ma

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:04:00 +0000

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:22-23 KJV

This scripture is very interesting because it speaks of a level of faith that is attainable by everyone. Jesus made a point of saying to stop doubting when we pray. The moment we start doubting when we pray that is the moment our faith vanishes and our prayers become just empty words. Faith calls for an action on our part. As a matter of fact James 2:26 says "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also".

I knew an extraordinary couple that lived in such agreement that their thoughts were inseparable. They were commonly known by most folks in that neck of the woods as Ma and Pa. As a matter of fact I do not think I ever knew their first names. They have both gone home to be with the Lord, but I think of them often. Pa was a very quiet deep thinking type of fellow who talked very little. Whereas Ma was very open and enjoyed talking. Not only were they extremely dedicated to each other, they were especially dedicated to the Lord. Their faith in the Lord always amazed me because it seemed that their prayers were answered quicker than most folks.

As a young stray teenager running around the countryside in the late '40s and early '50s I had the privilege of living with many people who wanted to be mom and dad to me. This was one of those couples who loved me for what I was, and through the eyes of faith saw potential in my scattered life. Perhaps my life is made up of bits and pieces of all those fine people who were willing to be my parents for a season.

I learned many things from all of them, but the thing I learned from Ma and Pa that would help me in later life was how to trust God and live by faith. I do not believe there is any greater lesson to learn than that of trusting God and living by faith.

One day I left Ma's home as I had left all the other homes, but Ma never left me. She always considered me to be her boy and by faith she would never turn loose of what she felt God had given to her.

As the years passed I would see Ma less and less. I might show up every two or three years to check on her and Pa but that was about it. During one of those absences from Ma I came to know the Lord. It could have been because of Ma's prayers and deep level of faith…not to mention her persistence that caused heaven to move on my behalf.

The moment I came to the Lord I was so on fire for God that I immediately went into the ministry as an evangelist and was getting people saved everywhere. One day I began to realize that maybe I had the Ma type of faith. Perhaps my inheritance from Ma was her faith and fire. Because Ma had something to do with my faith and fire, I am forever grateful.

I seldom saw Ma and Pa anymore because I lived several hours away from them. However, one day while going about my business in Houston, Texas-all of a sudden the Lord spoke to me and said, "Ma needs you." I filled up my car and headed down the road to Ma's house. A couple of hours later I pulled up in front of her modest little house and there she was waiting for me at the screen door. I got out of my car and said, "Hi Ma, how are you doing?" She did not respond by saying hi back, (as I expected). She only said, "What took you so long?" Then she said, "Well come on in, and we will talk about that later."

The reason the Lord sent me to see Ma that day was because she was ministering to a lady who had a problem which Ma did not know how to handle. Ma stopped ministering to the lady and told her, "I do not know how to handle things like this but I have a boy who does." The lady asked, "Where is he?" Ma said, "I don't know but I will pray and the Lord will send him." The lady asked, "But how does that work?" Ma said, "God hears me when I pray and John knows how to hear the Lord so he will come." Her simple faith filled prayer was "Lord I need for You to send John, in Jesus name, amen!" The lady said, "You mean that is all there is to it?" Ma said, "Yep, that is all there is to it." After she prayed she walked over to the screen door and waited for me to show up. That is the epitome of faith.

Everyone should have a Ma in their life to teach them how to trust God and to live by faith. These types of mothers are rare and are sprinkled throughout the kingdom as salt.

Father,

I cannot thank you enough for allowing Ma in my life. Even though she has been with you many years I continue to learn from her home spun theology, which to me is more accurate than all the seminary training in the world. Ma truly did walk with you in the cool of the day as Adam did. She really did talk to you "mouth to mouth" as Moses did. I pray I will have the kind of impact on others that Ma had on my life. Lord, her ministry will never end because I carry her message of trusting in God and living by faith to people around the world. Ma's faith was a true example of "mountain-moving faith".

Amen.

The Spirit of Adoption

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:53:00 +0000

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Galatians 4:5-7 KJVA

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:15-17 KJVA

Adoption is one of the kindest acts in the entire bible. The Lord takes those who are not wanted and makes them His own. Along with this adoption come all the benefits of being an heir. The thought of actually being a joint-heir with Christ is incomprehensible. This miracle can only be accomplished as God enters into covenant with Himself on our behalf as He did with Abraham. Our only contribution to this phenomenon is that of giving God our retched condemned lives.

Today God expects us to follow this same pattern so we too may become adopters of the unwanted-making them the wanted. Being grafted into the family of God means you stand with the privileged.

I realize there are many who have actually been adopted yet feel unwanted and unloved because of the rejection of their parents. They not only feel unloved and unwanted but the spirit of unworthiness gnaws away at their very soul by telling them they are not worthy.

Growing up in the late 30s, 40s, and early 50s I was adopted into many homes-even though I was never legally adopted. Unlike the above who felt unwanted, I felt wanted by a lot of people. I may have lacked in many things, but I never lacked in being wanted.

As I think back on those early days perhaps my greatest asset was the ability to see the glass half full rather than half empty.

Today I can not imagine not having those early life experiences. Each one was needed in building my character and preparing me for my life's ministry. I honestly have a deep appreciation for my journey and realize it was unique.

Perhaps my life was a bit usual because it did not fit into the typical pattern of an adoptee. The spirit of sorrow (1 Samuel 1:15) never invaded my mind because God had given me a thankful heart, so I never gave the spirit of sorrow any opportunity to take root.

Father,

I thank you for giving me such a unique life. I was not only wanted by so many people but you wanted me as well. I thank you for all the mothers and fathers who adopted me into their hearts and homes. However, the greatest of all adoptions was when you adopted me into the kingdom of God and made me a joint-heir with Jesus. Then you told me Lord, that I could boldly come into your presence any time I wanted. I truly am most blessed.

Amen!

What You Are Called Will Not Matter

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:13:00 +0000

(John 4:20-21 KJV) Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

(John 20:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

There are many different types of churches today as well as a variety of beliefs in each church. Every Christian wants to be right in their beliefs. Perhaps that is why their beliefs vary somewhat.

The thought of being right had to be in the woman's mind when she made the statement to Jesus at the well.

Jesus' answer to her was interesting and should cause all who read this passage to examine their beliefs. It should not only cause us to examine our theological beliefs, but also our ministry calling.

Back in the days when I started ministering I was often asked, "What are you?" What they meant was, "Are you a pastor, evangelist or missionary?" Even though folks could clearly see what I was doing they still asked the question because I apparently did not fit the customary mold.

Answering such a question was hard for me since I had been doing some of all three. As a matter of fact I had a passion for all three. I really wanted to answer their question but felt guilty because I did not have the answer. This agonizing question was on my mind far too much in the first five years of my ministry.

One day while driving from Des Moines, Iowa to Kansas City, Missouri the Lord suddenly spoke to me in such a way that I have never asked Him the question of "What am I?" again. I was so overcome by His presence that I had to pull my car off the highway for awhile as He ministered to me. When I understood His answer to the question I put my head across the steering wheel and repented for ever asking Him the question in the first place. That was about forty-five years ago and I have never asked the Lord that question again.

What the Lord showed me was that He was all things and He wanted to be Himself through me. Putting me in a category would limit Him as to how He could use me. Once I saw the picture I have never wanted to be anything other than an empty vessel for Him to pour Himself through.

I am amazed at how people advertize me on their marquees. Some say I am a teacher, others say I am an evangelist, while others call me a prophet. Each time I look at the marquees I say, "Lord this is what the people need from You today. I thank you Lord for allowing me to be the empty vessel that you are going to pour through".

God is raising up a whole new breed of people today that feel the same way that I feel. They know they have a call of God on their lives, but they do not fit the typical mold of pastor, evangelist or missionary. I want to encourage these people to yield themselves to the "empty vessel ministry" and God will do the rest.

Even though there are many today who do not fit the typical Ephesians 4:11 ministry calling of pastor, evangelistic and missionary...I still believe they are the foundation of all callings.

The woman at the well was seeking truth as to where was the best place and way to worship God. Jesus gave her the answer by saying "believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father." Verse 23 ... "but in spirit and in truth"

Father,

I thank you for giving me the 'empty vessel ministry'. Lord I know that you have a special ministry for all of your children. However, I am particularly happy for the "empty vessel ministers" who have no particular ministry, but stand ready to be used by You at will. I pray they will never be intimidated by the question of "What are you?" because What You Are Called Will Not Matter.

Amen

Hot Check Charlie

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:13:00 +0000

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.

Proverbs 26:1 ASV

This is quite a profound scripture. I cannot help but wonder what provoked Solomon to write such thoughts in the first place. Snow in summer, rain in harvest and honor for fools-these seem to be far flung thoughts with no explanation. Perhaps Solomon intended for us to search out his meanings of these thoughts for ourselves.

The point seems to be that honor is not bestowed on everyone. There are certain character qualifications that are needed to be a recipient of honor. People can do powerful things in their lives, but if they are without character then they will not receive honor. Hitler is a good example of one who did powerful things, but he died in dishonor. Therefore it is not about how big the things are that you do, but how big your character is while doing them.

Some experiences in life are almost too good to be true, while others are too bad to forget. Such was the case with me and many others like me back in the mid fifties when trying to get a good job was out of the question. That means that I was thrilled to even get a bad job.

I have had many interesting 'Charles' in my life, but the one I want to talk about today was no doubt the icing on the cake. This Charlie remodeled homes for a living and was always open to hire a fresh new dummy. If Charlie paid you at all, he paid you with hot checks. Those of us who worked for Charlie referred to him as 'Hot Check Charlie'. Since jobs of any kind were hard to find I figured I would rather have a bad job with hot checks than no job at all. Charlie was what you might call a high level manipulator who did not have a lick of character. That means if you were going to work for Charlie you had to learn how to out manipulate the manipulator.

A person like Charlie was certainly not a candidate for honor apart from a miracle in his life. However that is what the cross of Calvary is all about. Charlie may not have been guilty of having any real character in his life but neither did I before I met the Lord.

Perhaps Solomon was thinking about all of the 'Charlie-types' of the world when he wrote our text. I think it is far too easy for us to judge those like Charlie who may have been on their way to salvation, and forget about our own wretched 'Charlie-life' before we were saved.

I never cease to be amazed at how quickly we forget about our own 'Charlie-life' as if it never happened. Maybe it would be good for us to reflect back once in awhile just to keep us from walking in false pride.

Father,

As strange as it may seem I do thank you for putting Charlie in my life. I am sorry Lord that I was so busy trying to out-manipulate Charlie's manipulation that I forgot all about telling him about You. Help us all Lord to be more alert to “Charlie spottings” and ministry opportunities for the kingdom.

Amen

Waiting for Bread

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:24:00 +0000

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread."

Ps 37:25 NIV

I do not think I fully understood this scripture until I was much older. When I was a young preacher I had to believe God for each morsel of bread I put in my mouth. I thought this scripture only worked in proportion to the level of faith I had for my provision. Faith is certainly a major part of receiving from God, and I do not want to minimize that. However, after having ministered for almost fifty years I think I may have missed what David was trying to say. Hebrews 11:6 says, "...without faith it is impossible to please [God]..." No doubt our faith is pleasing to God, but His love and dedication to our well being far outweighs any level of faith we may have to motivate Him.

I think maybe David was trying to tell us that God wants to provide for us because it is His nature as a Father. Fathers usually want their children to be blessed and have more than enough. It is a very comforting thought...to know that our heavenly Father is looking out for our needs and at times even our wants.

There seems to be at least two ways to express one's faith. The first way to express our faith is by believing that the Lord wants to do good things for us.

The other type of faith is what I call a forced faith. This means that you believe God is going to provide for you, but you have never developed a father-son relationship with Him. In other words you do not walk in the cool of the day with Him and talk to Him and find out what is on His mind. However, in spite of that, you believe He is going to provide for you because you believe His word.

Everything takes a measure of faith and I certainly do not want to minimize that. But, on the other hand, I believe we need to be careful lest we use our faith in an unrighteous way. The way to use your faith in an unrighteous way is by expecting God to provide for you, but you refuse to develop a close relationship with Him.

As I look back over the years I realize that God provided bread and provision for me before I even knew Him as Lord. Maybe this is what David was talking about. As strange as this may sound, although I remember as a young child going without food many times, I cannot ever remember being hungry. I think maybe this could even be a part of what David was talking about. Perhaps my heavenly Father was feeding me with a spiritual food that was so satisfying that my natural hunger was erased.

If that was the case, then maybe those who read this should be encouraged that "God is no respecter of persons." If you are going through dark times and your faith is low, God is more than willing to feed you with His spiritual food. Praise God!

Perfecting faith is a journey and not a destination.

Even though God provides for me today in a different way than He did in my past, I shall never forget the joy of learning to walk by faith. He taught me how to believe Him and rejoice even for the small things. Because of those lessons, I have developed a grateful and thankful heart even for the small things of life.

Father,

I realize that living by faith is much harder for some people that it is for others. I thank you Lord for trusting me with this 'faith lesson' and for teaching me to expect your precious provision every day. I also realize that each of us is called to our own individual challenges. Lord you taught me how to wait for the daily bread that you had already prepared for me. Thank you Lord.

Amen.

Is Death-Death?

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:54:00 +0000

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 MKJV

In light of what Jesus did for us on the cross, perhaps we need to go back and rethink the whole death issue. Because of His death, burial and resurrection we are no longer bound by death and the grave. Perhaps that experience would be better referred to as simply meeting the Lord...or passing into the hands of the Father.

That may take some getting used to...since the last time we saw Uncle Charlie was when we put him in the ground. We are aware that his spirit is with the Lord, but as far as we are concerned Charlie is still in the ground.

A pastor friend of mine went to be with the Lord a few years ago, but his wife never acknowledged his death. She acknowledged he left and is not coming back, but would never acknowledge that he died. Consequently she saw no reason to go back to her husband's grave. At the time, I thought she must be in denial or shock. My concern was that when the reality of her husband's death came it was going to be hard on her, since they had been married over forty years. It has been several years since her husband's death and she is still at peace while carrying on the ministry.

Perhaps she knew something practically that the rest of us only know in principle. I think it must be easier to teach this principle to others than it is to practice it yourself. The question still remains, "Is death really death?"

Father,

We are still learning how to practically walk out the benefits you have afforded us spiritually. Continue to be patient with us Lord as we experience things such as the death of a loved one. You told us in Ecclesiastes 3:4 that there was "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance". Help us to live within that framework and not go to either extreme by allowing our flesh to control our emotions.

Amen.

Do You Believe All That Stuff?

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:09:00 +0000

Use clean language that no one can criticize. Do this, and your enemies will be too ashamed to say anything against you.

Titus 2:8 MSG

I was asked recently if I would like to know what people think of me. After pondering it for a while I said no. The compliments are nice, but the criticism takes a little longer to digest. You usually glow when someone compliments you, but you have an opportunity to grow when someone criticizes you. Even though we don't like criticism, it can be a significant help in our maturing process. It causes us to begrudgingly rethink what we did or said…and (hopefully) attempt to correct it.

Perhaps this is one of the points that Titus was trying to make when he suggested using clean language. He also seemed to suggest in this passage that most of our criticism comes as a result of what we say rather than what we do.

In Matthew 12:36 it says, "And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment". Maybe the idle words that Matthew is talking about have the same meaning as what Titus is speaking of. Nevertheless the point is well taken; let's clean up our idle talk.

Having said that, I am sure God gives special liberties to those in cases such as the following one. Many years ago, as I was holding a revival meeting in East Texas, I had an experience that remains one of my favorite stories to this day. Each night in the message I would share a personal story as an example to support my preaching point. There were two old men who faithfully sat on the second pew next to the center aisle on the left hand side of the church. They patiently listened to my message and waited for the accompanying story they knew would follow. Finally the last night of the revival meeting one old man turned and said to the other as I finished telling a story, "Do you really believe all that stuff? He would have to be four hundred years old to have done all that." The answer quickly came back from the other old man, "I don't believe a word of it, but I sure like to hear him tell those stories." After the service they both went up and told the pastor of the church what they had been talking about. When the pastor told me, he and I had a great laugh.

What is the point? There seems to be two kinds of idle words. The idle words that were spoken by the two old men in East Texas were not what Matthew and Titus were talking about. The old men's idle words were harmless. The idle words that Matthew and Titus were talking about were words of judgment and criticism. They are words that rob life rather than give life.

There are also two kinds of criticism. The first kind of criticism is the condemning kind which is meant to destroy. The other kind of criticism is the building of character kind of criticism which produces life and is used to perfect us.

Father,

I thank you for life-producing criticism because it helps perfect me in areas I need help. You said in Isaiah 61: 5 that you would send strangers to dress my vineyard. Thank you for sending help even when I am not looking for it. You are perfecting my language each day so that no one will have to say, "Do you really believe all that stuff?"

Amen.

Living in Love

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:59:00 +0000

If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

John 15:10 KJV

I have read this scripture many times over the years and I am not sure I ever realized that love was an actual place where you are supposed to live. I guess I thought love was only something you did. If love is in fact a place to live, then we must have a key to unlock the door.

Keeping God's commandments has to be the master key that unlocks the love house door. Jesus Himself lives there and is inviting us to move in with Him. However, there is a price to pay for the privilege of becoming a permanent resident in the love house. A part of that price is to move out of your flesh house into His Spirit house. Another way of saying that is we have to move out of our will into His will.

This concept may seem a little strange to the natural mind, but after meditating on John 15:10, you will know its origin.

Even though I have been a minister for many years, I suppose-except for God of course-I have learned just about everything I know about living in love from my wife, Karen. It is amazing how you can have the knowledge of love and not live in the house of love. You can have a level of the power of love and still not live in the house of love. You can even show love by feeding the poor and taking care of the widows and still not live in the house of love. You can do many great acts of love, but that does not mean you reside in the house of love.

I am also not sure that the dwelling kind of love can be taught...it is almost as if it has to be caught, because it is so supernatural.

Jesus alluded to this possibility when He suggested living a forgiving lifestyle in Matthew 18:21-22,

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him, till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven".

I knew a man who was known by everyone as Pa Pa. He had a level of kindness and generosity that almost left you awestruck. As a matter of fact, you would leave his presence with one of two emotions. The first emotion would be that of extreme peace. You felt you had been bathed in something that washed away all your cares and put the things of life back in perspective. The second emotion would make you feel as though you were coming up short of your full potential.

It seemed that I always wanted to do more when I was around him. Destiny may seem like a strange word when talking about Pa Pa, as he had always been a loyal blue-collar worker. However, after studying his life as I did, and still do, I have come to the conclusion that real destiny is not in the having, but in the doing. I learned a great deal from Pa Pa's life and I believe I have discovered his secret to success. He spent his life living in love.

Another point I learned from Pa Pa, was you cannot live in the house of love with un-forgiveness in your heart. Living a forgiven lifestyle is not an easy thing to do particularly if you are easily offended. However, if you can live a forgiving lifestyle you are well on your way to living in love.

Father,

I thank you for giving me such great practical examples such as my precious wife Karen and a loving father type called Pa Pa. My desire is to live in such a way that both would be proud of their investment in my life. My desire is to carry on their work of living in love so others will be as inspired as I was. Father, help us all to pursue Your perfect love.

Amen.

Stale Bread And Spoiled Bologna

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:03:00 +0000

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalms 37:25

There is an old saying that goes, "I know the light is on but nobody is home". The meaning of this is even though you are alive and breathing, your brain are disengaged.

As I was watching some young people the other day the thought crossed my mind, "I know the light is on but it appears that nobody is at home." That being the case it does not exactly make one feel secure knowing they will one day be our leaders. The thought that usually follows that is…my generation was never that way. However, after spending a few minutes reminiscing about the good old days I began to remember how imperfect my generation really was. You talk about the light being on and nobody at home, just wait until you hear this story.

When I was fifteen years old I decided I wanted to be a movie star. That was back in the days when all movie stars were discovered rather than going through acting schools as they do today. To be discovered you had to be in the right place at the right time. After giving this some serious thought I figured Hollywood was the place to be, so I spent the next few minutes coming up with a foolproof strategy. I talked a friend into going to Hollywood with me. We pooled our money which added up to about $30.00-and off we went. Since I was the smarter one and the one with all the acting talent I convinced my friend that he could get rich picking oranges.

Our plan was to hitchhike from our little East Texas town (where a lot of other smart people lived) to Hollywood where I would be discovered in a couple of days and by the end of the week would be rolling in money.

You talk about the lights being on and nobody at home… Looking back I'm not sure that I even had a light bulb to turn on.

After a few days of not being discovered and believing that Hollywood missed an opportunity of a lifetime, I came up with another brilliant idea. Let's go home and get something to eat lest we die.

After a couple of days of hitchhiking and not eating, my belly felt as though it had shriveled up against my backbone. While walking through a small town in New Mexico and passing a country store, all of a sudden I came up with another brilliant idea. Since I was the team leader as well as the brains of the outfit, I felt responsible to shoulder all the heavier matters myself while giving my friend the lesser responsibilities. The reason for this is because I did not want him to do something stupid. My plan was to sit out by the road and figure out which fork in the road to take while I sent him into the store to beg for bread. Oh, he whined a little bit at first but after I explained the benefits of the job, he got into the spirit of the thing and gladly went in with a cheerful heart and started begging.

I can almost guarantee there was nobody home in his house.

After giving the butcher the speech that I had carefully prepared for him, the butcher gave him some bologna and stale bread. He came back across the highway baring these precious gifts for which praise was awaiting him. I told him how impressed I was with his performance and that I was even considering letting him do it again. After that I gobbled down my bologna sandwich.

Our victory was short lived because the butcher had given him spoiled bologna. We spent the next few minutes throwing up everything except our toenails while the butcher enjoyed himself immensely watching us out the store window. We wobbled a little but went on down the road.

There are several points about this story worth developing, but I only want to address two. The first point is to never underestimate the youth of the next generation because they will usually turn out fine even if it appears that"the lights are on and nobody is at home."You never know what God is developing in those who look absolutely hopeless.

The most important point in this story is-the best the world has to offer is nothing more than spoiled bologna. It will not only make you sick, but it will eventually kill you. Therefore I can say with David,

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

It has been almost sixty years since my stale bread and spoiled bologna experience. Now my bread is from heaven and it grows sweeter and sweeter each day.

I am sure over the years there have been times when others thought in regards to me that the lights are on and nobody is at home, but I've never begged for bread since meeting my Lord.

Father,

I thank you that there is no end to the good things that you have prepared for those who love you. Thank you Lord for showing me how to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the other things are added to me. Lord, help me to have more faith in the young ones you are birthing today because you have plans for them as you had for me.

Amen!

GOOD MORNING, LORD!

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:21:00 +0000

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38 KJVA

The way a father wakes up in the morning sets the mood for his family. It is either a cheerful, "Good Morning, Lord" or a grouchy "Good Lord, it is Morning!"

I am not sure that people really understand how they control other people by their mood swings. A moody person is a controlling person. Through their moods they demand their way even when they may not say it. Since most people want to live in harmony, they will usually allow the moody people to have their own way.

The unfortunate thing about moodiness and negativity is that it can be caught like the common cold and then spread like a virus.

When we are happy and positive, those around us seem to be happy and positive. If we are negative and grouchy, then those around us seem to be negative and grouchy.

There seems to be a relationship between being negative and being selfish. The negative person wants attention and the selfish person wants things. The negative person judges all things by their own standards. The selfish person can not bear the thought of not being recognized for their efforts. The negative person will tell you everything wrong with life. The selfish person can not enjoy the benefits of life because of their selfish mindset.

A negative or selfish father can easily brainwash his wife and children and make them feel insecure and unworthy

God, on the other hand, is a giver and wants us to have the best. Giving is part of the covenant we enjoy with the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. It would do us all well to practice the art and ministry of giving until it becomes a part of our lives. If we will practice being a giver, God said He would give back to us "pressed down, shaken together and running over." The great thing about giving is that it not only blesses others but it will also bless you. Giving makes those around us feel happy and secure. When that happens, your morning will become "Good Morning, Lord" and not "Good Lord, It is Morning."

Father,

I want to be a good example to my family. I want to be an example of faith, hope, joy and love. I want to live in the glory of Your presence so that I might be a reflection of Your light. Forgive the times I have been moody and thus affected others negatively.

Amen

Stars or Bars

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:10:00 +0000

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:36 KJV

One of saddest things to me as a father is when I see a child of God living behind the bars of circumstances. This should not be-in light of the fact that Jesus purchased our freedom on the cross. We have been given kingdom star freedom to enjoy. Unfortunately, many feel more secure being behind the bars of circumstances even though Jesus opened the jail door for them to walk out freely.

Such was the case with the man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5. The reason Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well was because the man had apparently made a friend of his sickness. Sympathy will do strange things to you.

Humanity is not only capable of making kings out of other men…but often they make kings out of their own circumstances. When one yields to such things the next logical step is that of proving they deserve abuse. Over the years I have ministered to many who felt their love and servant-hood to God should be tested regularly and severely because they were never secure in their standing with God.

A good example of this is the children of Israel. They felt safer behind the bars of circumstances back in Egypt than under the stars of freedom in following God.

Because there is so much insecurity in the world today, humanity in general seems to be more king prone than they are God prone.

I see this far too often in Christian circles. Some pastors almost insist on being the king with an expectation of allegiance from their parishioners. Other people need to be guided by such men of dominance because they do not want the responsibility of hearing from God themselves. Yet others are so drawn to great anointed men who are capable of drawing huge crowds for such things as healing campaigns…many are prone to make kings out of them.

Perhaps from time to time we all need to go back and reread the small print of who we are and what a price Jesus paid for our freedom. I am sure that we would then get a new perspective on living behind the bars of circumstances or enjoying the benefits of the stars of freedom.

Father,

Help us to enjoy our star freedom more consistently by spending more time with You and in Your Word. Lord, help us to also bring this good news to others who remain behind the bars of circumstances when the jail door has already been opened by the precious blood of Jesus. We thank you Lord for setting us free.

Amen.

Love Lifted Me

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:06:00 +0000

I extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

Psalm 30:1

The very thought of being lifted up is intriguing enough that I decided to go to the Strong's Hebrew and Greek dictionary and see what it had to say. Strong's uses the example of "...being dangled. That is to let down a bucket (for drawing water); figuratively for deliverance."

There is a lot of typology that could be used in Strongs' explanation which is scripturally supported and would make a wonderful Bible study. However, the thing that captivates me most is how I personally was lifted up and delivered in such a way. It was the love of the Lord that reached His bucket down and lifted me above my sinful life. I do not know, maybe that bucket should be called the God bucket of love and deliverance.

I remember when I first came to know the Lord and heard the old hymn, "Love lifted me." I seemed to know that hymn without having ever heard it. I think it was because I had just experienced that ‘bucket-delivering love' of the Lord. I remember loving to sing that old hymn...and could not wait for the next time the music director would announce that we were going to sing it again. Every time we sang it I would hold my head back and sing it at the top of my voice. I would particularly put emphasis on the part that says "Jesus completely saves." I am sure the sounds of my voice would still be resonating in that small wood frame church building if it was still standing. Even though this hymn was very old, I always felt it was written just for me.

As strange as it may seem, it was through that old hymn that I first began to get some theology on the love of God. I was always excited and blessed to hear a good message on love, but it was through the singing about His love that made it more real to me.

I have sung that song many times through the years. Each time I would sing it my mind would always go back to the freshness of the very first time I sang it.

Many of the old hymns were written as singing messages with good basic doctrine embedded in them. Each time you sang one of them, you were feeding your faith with the Word of God.

Many of the past generation may have appeared shallow in Bible knowledge because they could not always quote chapter and verse of the Bible as others do today. However, many of that generation had a spiritual depth that could not be shaken, and a faith strong enough to take them through all the hard times that life threw at them. It is not what you know in your head that counts, but what you are able to walk out in your spirit.

Many of the little homespun preachers of that day did not have much theology, but the hymns they sang did.

It has been a while since I have sung the old hymn, "Love Lifted Me." But its message continues to have a deep impact on my life. As a matter of fact I am not sure I could sing the old hymn "Love Lifted Me" and do it justice unless I throw my head back and sing it at top of my voice as I once did.

Father,

I thank You for all the wonderful things You are doing in the kingdom today. I also thank You Lord for allowing me to be part of the past generation. I experienced Your move through fiery country preachers who also taught me the value of the message written in the old hymns. Father, I pray that the song writers of today will pen songs with a good theological base that will have the same affect on others as the old hymns did on me.

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain:
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me!

Amen.

The Old Farm

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:15:00 +0000

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 KJV

One day many years ago while riding my horse through the deep woods of East Texas I came upon an old home place. The trees and brush had taken over the yard, the fields, the fruit orchard, the road and everything else. Unless you were very close to the house or the barn you could not tell they were there because of the trees and brush.

It was apparent that no one had lived on the old farm or had even driven on the road for many years. As a matter of fact, I had grown up near this old place and had been all through those woods...but I never knew the farm was there. It was easy to tell that at one time this must have been a very beautiful old farm.

I got off my horse and started looking around. I carefully walked up the steps (the ones that were not rotten) to the old house and onto the front porch. There were still a couple of old rocking chairs sitting on the front porch. I walked into the house through what was left of the screen door. All of the furniture was still in the old house even though most of it was rotten or broken down. In the kitchen the breakfast dishes for two were still sitting on the small kitchen table. The skillet used for cooking breakfast was still on the old wood stove. In the bedroom you could also tell that the bed had not been made when they got up and made breakfast that last morning. The entire house looked as though the people who lived there just got up that morning, had breakfast, walked out the front door, and never returned home.

After looking at the house I walked out the back door and went out to what was at one time, a beautiful old barn. There was an old wagon half way out the front door of the barn. There was also an old plow lying on the ground halfway out the side door of the barn. There were several other farm implements on the outside of the barn. There was still the remains of hay in what used to be the hayloft. The rain barrel (like most farms had in those days) had long since been rusted out.

After looking at the house and the barn, I began to walk out toward the field. I was amazed that the rows were still there even though the brush and trees had taken over the field.

After looking at the field I decided to go look at the fruit orchard in back of the house. In those days most farms had a fruit orchard so the family could have fresh fruit for the summer as well as preserves and jelly for the rest of the year. As I walked around, I knew this must have been a beautiful orchard with peach trees, pear trees, and fig trees. Of course by now the orchard had long been abandoned and overgrown with vines.

I then walked around the old house, sat down on the only step to the front porch that was not rotten, and began looking at those beautiful large oak trees that lined the little wagon road coming up to the house.

I began wondering why anyone would just walk off and leave this beautiful old farm and never return.

After some research I found the answers to my questions. The old farmer and his wife had a daughter who moved away from the farm and never wanted to return. When her parents got old, the daughter came one morning and picked them up after breakfast. She took them to her home in a town an hour away. The old couple never returned to their home as they had assumed they would.

The old couple died without having the joy of seeing their beautiful farm again.

At the time of my research the daughter had grown old and had never gone back to the farm and that is why it was in such disrepair.

I would often ride my horse through the woods to the old farm and sit on the front step and dream about living there. I am sure I never shared my discovery with anyone else because it was such a private experience for me. From time to time I would go back to my little private hideaway (the old farm), and pray. For me, it really was a special place to walk with the Lord in the cool of the day.

Jesus went to the mountain to spend time with His father. Moses went to the burning bush to talk with God. Elijah was in the back of the cave when God came to talk to him. My place of solitude with the Lord was the old farm house that had been partially covered with vines. We may not all have a mountain or a burning bush or a cave or an old farm house to get alone with God, but it is good to have some place to meet our Father.

Father,

You and I have spent time together at many wonderful places and they have all been special. However, the old farm had to be one of our most special places to meet. Father, that old farm was no doubt one of the most unique places of intercession I have ever been to. It may have been forgotten by others, but not by You. It was You who led me there so I could experience the burning bush as Moses had done. Father...I, like Mary, have hidden these wonderful experiences in my heart because it was so intimate. Thank you Father for leading me to the old farm.

Amen.

Gaps

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:05:00 +0000

They haven't lifted a finger to repair the defenses of the city and have risked nothing to help Israel stand on God's Day of Judgment.

Ezekiel 13:5 Message Bible

The Message Bible more than any other Bible seems to give a clearer picture of the problem with the unrepaired defenses of the city. There were gaps (or holes) in the wall of that city where the enemy could come in and destroy its inhabitants. As I studied this passage I began to realize how applicable this story was to our lives today.

The city represents us and the walls represent our defense that keeps the enemy out of our lives. Over the years I have noticed that many people seem to have gaps (or holes) in their lives. In many cases these gaps are of their own doing and in other cases these gaps are not of their initiative. Some times when a person is growing up, the pain they may have experienced causes them to block out certain periods of time in their life in such a way that they really do not remember particular times or events. Yet at other times an experience is locked in their memory and although they remember these experiences, they cannot talk about them. As unfortunate as these experiences are, they often leave gaps in that person's defense, and they can become vulnerable in those areas of their lives.

Over the years I have spent hundreds of hours ministering to people...as I have dealt with most every kind of problem. The things that are painful enough to cause gaps in a person's life can range from incest and other physical abuses to abortion.

Counseling itself is wonderful and should be explored, but some of these things can only be discovered through a word of knowledge. Even though some of these gaps are caused by physical problems, the need for spiritual healing is the only solution for healing the mind and memory.

I once ministered to a man that was in his early fifties. His spirit had been shut down all of his life-the result of a variety of physical abuses. He was a big man and he had always been very soft spoken and extremely withdrawn.

After a time of ministering to him through words of knowledge...he was completely set free. As a matter of fact, he was so changed that he was a shock to everyone else, including himself. Even his wife wondered what had happened to him, because he was not the same man she married. He discovered that he had been living a manufactured life shaped by his circumstances. He was not the man that God had created him to be. He was now able to repair the gaps in his wall and become the defender of his spiritual city because Christ had healed him.

If we are not careful we can get gaps in our walls where the enemy can enter and destroy our inheritance.

Father,

Help me to be a faithful repairer of the gaps in my own walls so I can help others repair the gaps that are in their walls. Thank you Lord for passages of Scripture such as Ezekiel spoke, which remind us of the strategies of Satan that could thwart the blessings you have in store for us.

Amen

His Eye Is On the Sparrow

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Always dreamed of a room in your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!

Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. GOD of the Angel Armies! King! God!

Psalms 83:2-3 Message Bible

The reason I chose this scripture out of the Message Bible is because of its poetic style. Delicate sparrows seem best fitted in the framework that the Message Bible provides.

The thought of God meeting the needs of a little insignificant sparrow gives me great confidence that my needs will also be met. This scripture is a constant reminder that I am never out of God's mind.

Unfortunately the world is filled with people who feel unloved and insignificant. They feel that if they were not here, they would not be missed. I have seen that look on many old folks in nursing homes, the homeless and on the faces of little ones in an orphanage. I suppose I could imagine how those folks may feel unwanted and insignificant. The thing that really bothers me is when I look on the faces of people in a crowded church and see that same look of being unwanted and insignificant. After all...we are supposed to be the ones with the answers to such problems.

I think I understand—at least to some degree—how many of these folks feel. I remember some time ago, still being a young preacher, going through an experience that seemed to have no real solution. I started driving around out in the country and asking God what I should do. I parked my car under a big old tree and put my head across the steering wheel and prayed for a long time. When I finished praying I looked up and sitting on the end of a rotten limb in front of my windshield was a little sparrow. This little sparrow just sat there staring through the windshield at me.

My entire perspective was instantly changed concerning my present problem as well as future problems. The voice of the Lord seemed to speak to me through the presence of that little sparrow and reminded me of scriptures such as our text, as well as the Matthew 10:29-31 KJV passage.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

From that time I have never doubted that God is with me and cares for my well being.

I have also dedicated my life in sharing the sparrow story with others who feel hopeless, unwanted and insignificant. If God has His eye on the sparrow then how much more does He have His eye on those He made in His image such as you and me?

Father,

I pray you will help us all to be the sparrow sitting on the end of a rotten limb for another discouraged hopeless soul. Father sometimes it is not what we say, but it is our presence that you speak through. Thank you Father for allowing us to be your hands extended to others in need.

Amen

Charlie's Temper

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:05:00 +0000

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 ASV

Anger is probably one of the most destructive sins that have ever been enacted by mankind. The byproduct of anger has killed people, caused sickness, started wars, destroyed marriages, lost money, driven people to insanity and a litany of other things.

Oftentimes, the root of anger can be insecurity, fear or jealousy. Most everyone seems to have a hot button, and when it is pushed it will set them off. Many times anger is manifested early on in a child's life…and if not dealt with could lead to a pattern of bad behavior later on in life. This may not always be the case, but it is very likely that the root of anger did not start after a person became an adult.

There is nothing quite as ugly as a person displaying their anger. It makes those around them uncomfortable and can also leave them embarrassed after they cool off.

Without the Lord's help there is no restraining force to convict us as we have outbursts of anger. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit is our only hope for change. The story below is a good example of just how ugly uncontrolled anger can be.

When I was a young man growing up in East Texas I knew a couple whose names were Mary and Charlie. This couple did not have any children, so they looked at me as their 'part time son'. They lived on top of a red clay hill in a board and batten house that was built a couple of feet off the ground. The house had never been painted and it was very old.

Even though I loved Charlie-he had a temper like a baby rattlesnake.

Charlie was a good carpenter and wood worker. One day he decided to build Mary a new bed. The bed looked great, but he cut the slats (which hold up the springs and mattress) too short. Instead of taking the time to cut new slats, he and Mary slept on the bed with short slats which would fall out every night. Every time the slats would fall out Charlie would hit the floor. Mary said his customary routine was to jump up, cuss his bed, put the slats back in, get back in the bed and go back to sleep. According to Mary this went on night after night for years.

However, one night Charlie was particularly tired when he went to bed because he had a hard day at work. Mary said his patience seemed to be shorter than usual that night. Charlie went to bed and had just gotten to sleep when the slats fell out and as usual his frazzled body hit the floor.

Mary said she was totally shocked because Charlie did not jump up off the floor as his pattern was, and start cussing his bed. He just quietly got up off the floor and headed out the back door, wearing nothing but his long handle underwear with one side of the back flap unbuttoned. He calmly walked out to the barn and picked up his ax and walked back into the house. He stopped in front of his bed, and like a wild man, all of a sudden he started cussing his bed and chopping it to pieces with the ax.

Mary stood quietly by in the corner of the room watching while Charlie did his thing. When he got through chopping his bed into stove wood, he grabbed his mattress and dragged it over to the corner of the room and went to bed. Mary lay down beside Charlie on the floor assuring him that everything was going to be all right. After a time of snorting and cussing, Charlie finally fell asleep.

Charlie may have gotten some immediate relief from his escapade of rage that night-but it was short lived. When he woke up the next morning with a sore back from lying on the floor all night, and started staring at a pile of wood that used to be his bed…an enormous amount of guilt and shame came on Charlie. He had never gone this far before with his anger and he was so ashamed.

Mary said she never said a word as she got up the next morning to make Charlie's breakfast. She just gathered up some of her bed-which had been chopped up the night before-and put it in the stove and started cooking breakfast.

All of this rage happened because Charlie cut the slats too short.

Charlie and Mary have been gone for many years now. I thank God that Charlie never went that far with his temper and rage again. The Charlie story has been a constant reminder to me as to how ugly a violent temper and rage can be.

There is no doubt this story may have caused an array of emotions to many of my readers. After having read dozens of my writings, some may wonder why I would even write such a story. Others might feel angry because it reminds them of their own father or husband, or someone else they know. This story may even make others feel insecure when they are around any man with a violent temper.

It is not my intent to glorify uncontrollable emotions, but rather to point out the need for God in such circumstances. Sad to say, there are far too many Mary and Charlie stories out there where tempers have turned into harmful situations for other people. Charlie only chopped up his bed, but there are those today who harm other people as a result of their rage.

My reason for writing such an article is simple. There seems to be more angry people in the world today than ever before, and we need to find ways to help them. I believe all of us should make more of an effort in praying for those people and against this rage epidemic that is spreading today like a grass fire.

Father,

I pray that the lesson I learned from Charlie's story will be a continual reminder for me as to how ugly tempers can be. Lord, help all of us to practice controlling our emotions. Father we desire to walk in peace with You and our fellow man. Help us to put our emotions on the altar every morning and walk in holiness with You.

Amen

Faith for Pennies

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 12:27-31 KJV

If there was ever a scripture that speaks of covenant, this one does. One of the blessings of covenant is that you and your covenant partner share each others possessions. That means when we are in covenant with the Lord we give Him our sin-sick soul and He gives us life everlasting and all that it provides. As a minister who lives by faith, I find that comforting. The point of this scripture is if He takes care of the little things of nature how much more will He take care of us.

Early in my ministry God began to teach me the principle of walking by faith. I could receive the offerings for ministering but then I was instructed to give the money away. This method of giving went on for years. I learned many things in those early days that have helped me to be a more dedicated minister to this day.

The first lesson I learned was that ministry and money are not one and the same. All ministers need money, but money is not the deciding factor as to whether one is in the ministry or not. The call and anointing of God alone is the deciding factor.

The second lesson I learned was that God is my supply and the above scripture is my love note of Covenant from God.

God has blessed me abundantly over the years and I can say with David in Psalms 37:25

"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread".

After many years of giving the offerings away the Lord spoke to me one day and said He was going to start providing for me through the offerings. This was a shock because over the years He had provided for me through the blessings of a business. Now I was instructed to give that business up and go to my next level of trusting God for provision in a new way.

Each time I would go out to minister I would add up the bills to the penny and pray for that exact amount of offering. However, many times the honorarium check was not even close to what I had prayed for.

As I flew home I would start going through my briefcase looking for the rest of the money I had prayed for. I knew it had to be there even though I could not see it. After all I was doing what the Lord told me to do and He had never let me down. I would continue going through my briefcase and coat looking for the rest of the money. If God took care of the sparrow He would certainly take care of me...so I kept looking. After a while I would begin finding money in places where I had already looked many times before. By the time I landed I had always found all the money I needed to the exact penny.

When I got home, Karen and I would rejoice thanking God for the miracle provision. This would happen many, many times over the years. Even today I can hardly look at a flower or a bird and not feel spiritually moved by the presence of my beloved Covenant partner the Lord Jesus Christ.

Father,

Thank you for teaching me the ministry of living by faith and praying for pennies. Those times were so personal and intimate and I weep today when thinking of them. My prayer Lord is that those who are following the faith walk will also know You in that intimate way. I can again say with David "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread".

Amen.

WILL MY REAL FATHER PLEASE STAND UP?

noreply@blogger.com (John Dean) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:23:00 +0000

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:35-40 KJV

Growing up during the late '40s and early '50s provided a great opportunity for a young man like me to meet many special men who would have a profound impact on my life. The background of these men ranged from the educated to the illiterate, from the successful business man to the hard working man who spent long back breaking hours in the woods cutting logs with a cross cut saw.

I learned a lesson early in my life that still serves me to this day. If you strip away the book learning, the upper class mentality and fleshly pride, all men are truly equal at the core. That being the case, then every man has life experiences that are valuable to those who follow.

I remember in those early days how my mind was stretched to its limits when I learned the power of thought from the educator. There didn’t seem to be a limit to my dreaming and creative possibilities. After all-if you can dream it-you should be able to achieve it. Since that time I have dedicated my life to being an active dreamer. I shall never stop thinking creatively, thanks to my learned friend who taught me the power of thought.

I was also fascinated and learned from the businessman. He had the ability to turn what seemed to be nothing more than a dream into a mass of activity...producing product, jobs and money. In my mind he was outstanding because of his ability to constantly create.

One of the most cherished lessons of my life was from a man who worked in the woods. He started his career and made his living by cuttings logs with a cross cut saw. He worked from morning until dark in that back breaking job, but I never heard him complain. He lived a life of holiness, and every Sunday he went to church and thanked God for His blessings. He was a man of humility who rarely said a word, but spoke volumes through his life. I often wondered how a man like that could teach so much and say so little.

I am sure I would not be where I am today if I had not learned the power of thought from the educator, or to be creative from the businessman. I would also have never learned to be a dedicated teacher without words, if it had not been for the woodsman.

Since I am a product all these men...I wonder...would my real father please stand up?

Father,

I thank you for the educator who inspired me to think. I also thank you Lord for the businessman who taught me to dream big dreams and expect miracles. I thank you as well Lord for the woodsman who taught me the value of walking out my faith in humility. Thank you Lord for letting these men father me through those important times of my life

Amen.