The Man God Uses

Father God,

I cannot imagine serving anyone or anything besides you.  You are amazingly awesome in every way and nothing even comes close to your majesty and power.  Please guide me as I write this post.  May your words be written.

Amen

This weekend my life group and I attended a conference at Open Door church called "The Man God Uses".  It was POWERFUL to say the least.  My favorite part of it was when we all stood up together as one body of Christ and sang praises to the Lord.  The room was filled with over 100 men as we lifted up our hands and gave all glory to God for who he is.  It was an incredible sight to see and was worth every penny spent to go there.  The Holy Spirit was alive and well as we sang songs, raised our hands, listened to guest speakers, drank coffee, ate food, etc. 

Dr. Henry and Tom Blackaby headed up the speaking for both Friday and Saturday sessions.  They spoke about topics such as the power of prayer, praying for the family, building spiritual walls for protection, modeling the Christian life daily, having a personal relationship with God, waiting on God, and many more topics.  Even though a lot of men who attended were a bit older than we were, it didn't matter to me.  God called us there for a reason and He has a divine plan to use us for His good and perfect will.

I have never seen so many men in one place praising God and surrendering their lives to Him.  There were multiple men, including myself, who got down on their knees to praise and pray to the God of the universe.  It was absolutely surreal and I am so grateful and joy-filled that I was able to join them in celebration.  It reminded me of what eternity will be like in Heaven, worshiping our Father with all of who we are forever and ever.

Myself, as well as the many other men involved in this conference are charged up now for serving in God's Kingdom.  I know that He has big plans and I cannot wait to be a part of them.  I want my life to continue the trend for generations after me.  I want to rise up with other believers to accomplish the plans that God has set forth from the beginning of time.  Here I am Lord, send me.  Allow me to join my brothers and sisters in defeating evil and ushering your Kingdom into this world.  May your will be done.

I am the man god uses.    

Unfiltered

God,

You are beautiful.  Not only are you beautiful, but you are beauty itself.  I set all of my cares and worries, hopes and fears, dreams and admiration on you and you alone.  All that I am and all that I have is because you gave it all to me.  I praise you and love you always and forever.

Your servant, Kenneth Dean Melendez

Amen

Filtered -- according to dictionary.com is:  to slow or partially obstruct the passage of something.

Unfiltered -- according to dictionary.com is:  not having been toned down, censored, or edited. ex: unfiltered news sources

I suppose that this notion has been in my thoughts and in my heart for quite some time now.  Yet yesterday (9/10/11) a word popped into my head to wrap the idea up in three syllables...unfiltered.  I believe this is what God has in store not only for myself, but for other believers as well.  

We live in a world that is surrounded by influences.  From newspaper to television to internet to culture to peer groups to family members to work places and even to churches.  We have a certain way of acting and going about our daily lives according to the influences surrounding our environment.  Of course our own personality traits do indeed come into play here as well but that is not my main focus at this time.

Here are my questions though.  What if all of this was put behind us?  What if we could possibly break through these 'barriers' that may keep us from being our true selves?  Sometimes I worry about what someone else is going to think about a particular action that I perform.  What if that was gone?  What if we could say what was truly on our minds instead of not saying anything or making up some sort of lie?  

My most prominent question would be...what if we could live unfiltered for Jesus Christ, obeying Him with all of who we are?  I do not want to reach the end of my life and know that I could have done more for God if I just would have lived an unfiltered life of complete surrender to His will. God calls each and every one of us to follow Him and that means that we lay down our pride down at the door and walk with Him.  Unfiltered even means stepping out of our comfort zone (which I know is uncomfortable) and making a difference by shining the light of Christ in people's lives through our example.

The same day this word came to me I also jotted down characteristics that I feel are extremely important and that run along the same lines.  The words are:  honesty, integrity, humbleness, truthfulness, love, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, wisdom, other-centeredness, beauty, and leadership.  I'm sure there are others but I feel that these traits can be found in a person who is truly unfiltered and is always seeking after God. 

I realize that today marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attack on our country.  I remember and honor the fallen and their families.  Lets live our days for Christ and in remembrance of those who suffered on that tragic day in history.  May we be a people who rise up and take a stand for all truth and justice on this earth.

Remove the filter, break down the barriers, and devote yourself completely to Him.  This is how we live life to the fullest.  The way God intended it from the very beginning of creation. 

 

A Strange Encounter

Father,

Ignite my soul.  Fill me with your presence and your love today.  I need your guidance and direction each day of my life.  I pray that others' spirits would be awakened by the messages relayed through my posts.  I love you.

Amen

So yesterday as I was driving home from class I noticed a man walking down the sidewalk with his right leg turned sideways and a cane to hold him up.  He seemed to be in his 30's and I felt compassion welling up inside me to help him out.  I wanted to give him a ride to wherever he was heading to.  So, after my car had already been turned off, I started it up again and drove over to speak with him.  He accepted the invitation and hopped into my car.

I asked him where he lives and he said it's about a mile or two away and that he'll direct me there.  The first part of our conversation was your average small talk conversation.  But then about midway through I asked him what he does for a living.  He said that he is religious.  I said oh yeah, what religion are you?  He goes...Satanic.  Oh, I replied.  The rest of the conversation was pretty much him directing me to his place.  After I parked and unlocked the door for him to get out, he was laughing a bit for some reason.  He said thanks for the ride and 'until next time'.  I thought to myself, will there be a next time?  Maybe there will be.

Anyways, the whole experience kind of shook me because I have never encountered someone 'who keeps the dark side happy'.  That was something he brought up as well.  I got home and told Sarrah about it.  When we went to bed I kept thinking about that drive and how strange it was.  I definitely felt something spiritual being stirred up inside of me.  I decided that I wanted to say a prayer for this man and also for me because my spirit was restless and needed peace that only God can give.

I pray that the ride I gave this man planted a seed in his heart and that God draws him to the light.  Lord you are all powerful.  I pray that you would please do a work in him like he's never seen before and that you'd use him for your Kindom's purposes.  Amen.

The Cross

Dear Lord,

You are more amazing than words can express.  I am not worthy of your love but yet you love me anyways.  Even when I mess up and allow sin to creep in, you are always right there waiting for me to return to you.  Thank you for your faithfulness and truth.  I am surrounded by your matchless grace and peace.  I love you.

Amen

The Cross.  What does it signify?  What does it stand for as it hangs from our necks and our rear-view mirrors?  Why do we look at it, studying it like we do?

In all reality, the crosses back in Jesus' day were big, heavy pieces of wood that people were literally nailed to until they suffocated and died.  They were ugly, nasty places of torment and disgust.  A place where people suffered who were accused of wrong doing and breaking the law.  It was an excruciatingly painful and humiliating way to die.

Even though the above may be true, the cross, for Christians, is also a place of forgiveness, love, salvation, and pure sacrifice.  For Christ followers, we see the cross and remember what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago.  He gave up His life so that we may have a right relationship with God once again.  He loves us so much that He gave up His LIFE for us!

For believers, Jesus' death was just the beginning.  He rose from the dead three days later!  He is alive and well now and forever!  We are in relationship with Him by accepting Him into our hearts while repenting of our old, sinful ways.  He longs to be connected with us, to speak with us, and to live daily in our hearts guiding our steps.

So what does the cross signify in a word?  Love.  God defines love.  He is love.  He showed us how much He loves us on that dirty, filthy, painful cross 2000 years ago.  Now it is our turn to show Him how much we love Him.  Lets live lives that are pleasing to Him, obeying His commands. May all glory and honor be to God forever and ever.  Amen.