IMPROBABLE CIRCLE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

 

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

 

A strange and improbable circle of men gathered to do a more than strange improbable thing last night; unite in prayer for another friend.

 

Sometimes GOD throws me into settings and circumstances that are a little surreal.

Why strange and improbable you ask?  Why surreal?

 

This circle of men included one who just 90 days ago was so “wet brained” from alcohol that he couldn’t form a sentence much less say a prayer.  To my left was a fellow who at one time was a prodigious manufacture and distributor of meth amphetamine. To my right were a former heroin addict and another to his right. Then at the desk was someone I have known for years that is on such a glorious journey of FREEDOM and hope from alcohol and dui's it gives me chills to pen it.

 

Continuing around the room was a man who just 2 weeks ago was intubated following an overdosed induced affixation and next to him a man who has served time for murder.

 

Quite the crew for sure.  Improbable.  No saints.  Sinners for sure.  And they were praying.

 

And GOD was in the middle of that circle.

GOD was responsible for the circle.

And GOD was moving in that circle.

 

In faith this gathering of ne'er-do-wells and damaged men were lifting another who at one time was a “fortune teller” and addict in his own right; a friend suffering in the hospital.

James 5:15 (ESV)

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

 

We were clearly “in faith” banking on that truth!

 

We hear Pastors say “But for GOD” a lot.

But for someone who knew this crew and their Pastor “when” (back in the day) and would have stumbled upon that circle would have NO OTHER EXPLANATION than "but for GOD".

 

I cherish these moments.

These moments happen outside the normal channels of church buildings and services.  They are real, visceral and powerful.

They are unique encounters with GOD that transcend denominations and structure.  They are birthed out of obedience, faith and heart.

 

They are unexpected and so appreciated.

Yesterday in a little house in the middle of a little town GOD honored several less than honorable men with HIS PRESENCE and hope “showed up”.

 

Oswald Chambers said it this way…

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.”

 

These men were committed to that yesterday.  Undaunted by their "irreversibles" they asked for the presence of GOD to fall and fall he did.

Pasts were irrelevant.

Eyes were on the future and the possible.

The brother’s need was the focus.

We lifted him in faith. 

And united we knew our prayers would be heard in spite of who we were or what we once did.

 

I share this with you today as an encouragement. 

GOD is waiting to share His presence with you right now, right where you are. Don't wait for Sunday. Don't wait for the worship leader or Pastor to exhort you.  If you need Him, call out to Him.  HE desires to be with you!

 

Leave any brokenness in your life in HIS hands.  Cast your eyes upward and forward into the possibility, the INVINCIBLE FUTURE of today. 

Have faith.

Be courageous.

He wants you near Him. 

For GOD uses AND communes with the broken. 

Yes even you.

“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:22, ESV).

 

Be blessed today...

I love you all!

Freedom Church