Line in the sand...

In this world, we will have many troubles; states Jesus. I love that He is such a realist and doesn't allow us to use Christianity as our escape into a world so disconnected from the world.

BUT: It has been revealed to me in my talks with people lately, that troubles is what they are trying to avoid. A few told me they completely avoid the world as much as possible, because they don't like dealing with other people's language or lack of restraint in cursing. Some have shared they will no longer attend sporting events, because of the lack of morals or respectful attitude that is not displayed while their team is losing. For many, it was inappropriate dress and less then godly motivations that would like to be quarantined and avoided.

I certainly respect a persons right to draw the line in the sand. We all have to have personal life decisions that place certain boundaries on ourselves and on our families. Now I would like to take a look at the other side of the picture or the coin.

I ask this, are we not to sure that we are not using Christianity to our gain so much that we have boxed ourselves in; and are no longer reaching out? Have we accepted salvation so selfishly? What I mean is this: have we created a world where Christianity is now the method by which we have fashioned a life that no longer has anything to do with the world accept through prayer, tithing or an occasional pep talk to the unsaved?

There is a world that is hurting, lonely, suffering, angry, cursing, disrespectful, immoral, rebellious, prideful, lustful and lost. They we unbelieving, rebellious, religiously off, spiritually dead, mentally at war, and physically in opposition to the Cross and Christ. It was our God who showed us His love by choosing not to stay separate from us. It was our God who became flesh and sat with sinners, whores and drunks. It was our Jesus who offended the religious when he hugged the dirty, washed the feet of a sinner, and ate with sinners.

It was God though Jesus Christ that loved us enough to not stay away. It was Jesus who did not draw the line in the sand, accept to convict men of their own sins. I would like you to notice in the bible, Jesus drew the line in the sand and it is okay to draw the line in the sand....but I now ask you...on which side was He on? He knelt down, and as He drew the line in the sand....and He is behind the line....WITH THE SINNER, WITH THE ADULTERESS, WITH THE GUILTY, WITH THE IMMORAL, WITH THE LESS THEN ADMIRABLE. You and I better be thankful that He did...because of His love for sinners...He is the only one on judgment day who will draw the line between us and Gods wrath to come. On that day, Christ will draw the line in the sand and will be loving enough to be found standing with you, for you, on your behalf also...Spiritual adulterer, Spiritual murderer, Spiritual unfaithful, Less then honorable, and He will say..."Not this one Father, this one is mine".

Oh I thank you God for not staying separate from us. I thank you Jesus for not staying away from us. I thank you for drawing the line in the sand and standing with the sinner who has living a life of obviously rebellion to your ways. What a merciful God, what a loving God, that you will have Grace enough to found standing with me on that day when I need you most....now that is Grace...that God would be found standing behind the line in the sand.....with me! May you live in Grace, may you see the need for Grace, may you grow in Grace, and may you give away that Grace as you live and breathe today!

Gods Weight Loss Program...is Grace!

Hello friends and family! I know that for many of us we have started out 2012 w/ New Years Resolutions. For many, it was to do better, to try harder, to save money, to read the bible, to pray more, to make it a priority to attend church, to climb the corporate ladder, be more sensitive to others needs, and of course...Lose Weight! When I hear people tell me they want to lose weight, my mind runs right from the "Physical" to the "Spiritual". Please read on...because each of us NEEDS to lose some weight!

My hope for each of us this year is that each of us drops a dramatic amount of weight that Christ never intended for you and I to carry. Mat 11:28  "Come unto me, all ye that labor & are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Yes, God knows that our heart is heavy sometimes with depression, with hurt, & resentments: our heart could stand to lose a few pounds. Yes our mind is often weighted down with worry, with fears, and suspicions: it would be healthier this year if we would exercise on trusting God. Yes, we have failed people, we have failed God, and we have failed ourselves miserably even from time to time. So what are we to do? Here is what the world will tell you! "Do harder, try better, get a new plan, find a new method, make a stronger commitment this time, just do it".  Come' on how many times are you gonna get caught up in that viscous cycle? All we end up doing eventually is...packing back on the pounds! It is extremely unhealthy to live this way. To make all these promises, to make these vows are just more pressure! It's senseless weight to carry around! Ask an addict what pressure does? It helps him relapse back into old patterns, old behaviors...Pressure "adds weight" to your life! We don't need it! So what's the answer?.........GRACE!

Let me explain: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Drop the self abuse! Drop the judgment, drop the pressure that God has removed from you! Lose some weight! Drop the shame and guilt! In fact, all that weight is not only unhealthy for you; but its also devastating on those who are in relationships with you! The bible states that no one is unique, in that we all have struggles, we all have issues, we have all  pains, and we all have dreams that did not come true! And most of all, we all SIN! That is why Grace has been given to you and me...because God knew that even after we were saved that we would need a constant diet of Grace! Paul opens up up almost every single letter he writes with "Grace and Peace unto you"! I love it! Because so many people are carrying around so much useless baggage, and needless weight in our Christianity! God has removed our shame & our guilt! Many of us live our professional lives, our family lives, our public life under a constant state of "performance" and "pressure".  "Grace and Peace unto you"...Drop the weight, take off the mask, your safe now, your home, your in Christ and nothing can separate you form His love...we can be real here...(in church, in prayer, IN THIS LIFE). Yes, God has a diet plan that each of us needs to follow! Shed the pounds this year! Grow in Grace...lose some weight!

Now, how do we get this diet started!? We recognize our NEED for Grace! If you don't recognize your need for Grace...then you will forever have a unhealthy relationship with burdens, with depression, with bitterness, with fear, anxiety, with your marriage, with our business! I want to ask you...would you like to lose some WEIGHT? Then acknowledge the need for Grace in your own life! Look to the cross, drop to your knees and kiss the feet of the one who died to set you free! Who has removed your weight and burden of being perfect, of being a "success", of not living up to others expectations! Look to the one who IS GRACE! His name is Jesus Christ, eat of His bread and drink of this cup that you might be set free from the burdens of this life, and lose some weight! Jesus carried the Cross...so you and I wouldn't have to! He knew the weight and the pressure would crushed us! Be kind to yourself, be loving to yourself, and quit holding yourself to a standard that God does not......."Lose some weight!"  I hope this has helped....

May you Grow in Grace and the knowledge that you are loved, thought on, forgiven and may you realize....the Pressures OFF! God bless you...Mike Heili (hookmhrns@ymail.com)

Father....it's dark in here!

Psa 69:16  Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

Lately in our family we had a crisis that tested my faith. In brief, for 2 minutes or so, we believed our new born girl (Sammy) had possibly passed away. Her mother's heart sunk into unknown dark territory. My mind raced, as I scrambled for sanity. Then my heart cried out to the one it is anchored in (God). I plead for my Sammie's life, & I dared not try to barter with a God whom I have nothing to offer. The situation had humbled me beyond what I am able to do personally. So from there, I told my God that I did not believe in the power of MY prayer...but I do believe completely in the power of the one whom I pray to! I do not trust in my faith, but I do believe completely in His faithfulness. I was asking God if He would demonstrate His loving kindness towards my wife and I and protect our hearts and mind, to prepare us for whatever might be next. I knew myself to be the chiefest of sinners along with Paul, and I might actually begin to question the goodness of God and the love of God; if things did not go my way. 2 verses came to mind as I plead my case....Jesus words "Your Will Father, Not Mine!"  And then Psalmist 69:16  "Hear me, O LORD; for thy loving kindness is good turn towards me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies." I prayed these verses over and over as I held my Sammy in that ambulance...for possibly the last time.

I write this little bit for those who have lost those most dear to them...because even the most sunniest of days will forever have a hint of shade in it from now on. On Christmas morning, all my studies on suffering were no longer a philosophical abstract to be pondered, it was concrete reality. Suffering is real, it is not kind, it is viscous, it is cruel, & its dark. It is one of the loneliest existences of life, to be without one whom is so precious, that brought extra value to your being. While my Sammy faded...so did my light begin to flicker. It quickly grew dark in my heart, in my mind, and in my future. Holding Sammy tightly in my arms in that ambulance ride a phrase came to me..."Father,...it's dark in here!"

Years ago, I had been studying and came across a story about a father and a son. It spoke of how the father & son walked hand and hand to their car, in the rain, after the funeral of the woman they both loved so dearly. She was the center of their world, the core of their existence...she was "wife"...she was "mommy"..& now she was gone. Arriving at home, the father did the best that he could do. Dad was strong & struggled to keep things going as normal as possible for his little boy. He gave his boy a bath, they ate dinner together and dad finished up the dishes. Night was coming, it was getting dark. Soon the little boy came to the father and asked, "Daddy, can I sleep with you tonight?" To the fathers relief, the dad said "of course you can, come on...let' go to bed".

After laying there for some time. The father had noticed that the little boy was still squirming around & was   finding it hard to fall asleep. The father was worried, gripped by fear that the son was going to start asking questions that he was not yet prepared to answer. But eventually the silence was broken as the little boy said, "Daddy, are you here?" The Father said, "Yes son, I'm right here with you."  The little boy said, "Daddy, it's dark in here and I can't see you". The Father responded, I assure you son "I"m right here with you". Then the little boy said, "Daddy, is your face towards me? it's dark in here, & I can't see your face". Daddy replied; "I know it's dark son, but daddy's right here with you, and my face is towards you, you just can't see me because it's so dark...but I promise, I'm here with you!" The little boy said, "Okay daddy, but can you hold me?"...& in a few minutes the boy fell asleep.

Soon the dad found himself laying in the bed, all alone, in the dark with his thoughts. Next, he rolled out of bed and fell on his knees...and began to pray these words..."Father, are you here with me? It's dark in here right now and I can't see your face! Father, would you turn your face towards me....oh Father...it's dark in here and I'm scared...would you hold me...it's dark in here!"

My heart go's out to each of you who have lost a loved one...may God love you and keep you!
Psa 69:16  Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

May you Grow in Grace and the knowledge of knowing that He is with you....even in the dark! Your friend, Mike Heili   (hookmhrns@ymail.com)

I Have Escaped To Tell Thee...

Early on in this book of Job, we have prosperity in the highest order.."integrity with God!". Man can have all kinds of false self-esteem because of his work ethic, because of what neighbors may think of us, and even the admiration of passers by as we practice humility. But to be introduced in the Word of God, by the Word of God...as a man who is pleasing to God...is quite an introduction. But soon, all that Job has is stripped away. Job's life is rudely interrupted, and he is not kept separate from a life that is common through out the rest of the world. Job experiences calamity, pain, and loss of all the substance that his life has acquired. Now being a child of God is no longer working for him in a positive manner. There seems to be no benefit in following this God. Oh man of God, children of God, if you know what Job is going through in your life today...take heed...fall to your knee's and worship God. Let it not be that you gain the whole world...and think that it was ever yours in the first place. It is all Gods, He gives and He takes away. The Grace of God is that we do not get what we truly deserve. God, have mercy on our souls, and guard our hearts when it considers YOU in time of suffering. God have mercy on our minds as we try to piece together the puzzle that we have so diligently put together, now we awake to have it torn apart. Oh God guide my footsteps and my words in time of pain, that I curse you not, question you not, and that in the end....I end up like Job at the end of chapter one and fall on my knees, cry out to my God...and Worship you. Let run to you, as my point of reference when all hell breaks lose.

4x servants in Scripture have come to Job and expressed that "only I have escaped alone to tell thee". Christian, this is our story! In the midst of all this, we for the most part miss the messenger's who have survived! By the Grace of God! They each come from their own separate tragedies, their own horrors, they each come holding their own testimony of how their lives were salvaged! The messengers' come yelling..."I alone have escaped to tell thee".  Among humanity, there are many who are lying dead in a grave. Among humanity, there are many who are still among the walking dead. But as for you and me..."We alone have escaped to tell thee". We alone have been saved from the Lion who roams this earth to seek whom he may devour. Oh how many of us have escaped, by the Grace of God go I, there is no way we should still be here! There is no reason why we have made it out of circumstances, overcome insanity, broken out of dark pity and heavy depression, beyond addiction...and now we sit and Worship at His feet!

Why have you been saved...for this very reason....to bring glory to God! It is now our turn to consider our own lives...When we were dead in our sins and trespasses before God...when we once walked in the ways of world and were among the walking dead! Christian, you have been spared! So daily may we run into a world that so desperately needs to hear of how God is still doing amazing things in a world that is confronted with pictures of tragedy, disease and despair. You Christian...your soul has been spared from the fires of Hell.  Do not think it was of your own doing! Do not think highly of yourself more than you ought! But give praise and honor to the one whom has spared your Soul. Oh may you cry out daily and forever....I have a testimony, I have a witness...."I alone have escaped to tell thee"....I AM FULLY ALIVE! I have escaped to tell thee..."His Name is Jesus!"   God bless you and may you see the Grace in your life and may you tell others of it! Your friend...Mike

Who is this God of Grace?...

     God is all sufficient, He is life. Glory, goodness and blessedness are found in Him alone. He does not stand in need of any of the creatures that He has made, nor does He derive any of His glory from them. On the contrary, He manifest His own glory in us and by us, by His own Spirit. He is the fountain-head of all being, and the origin, channel and end of all things. Over all His creatures He is Sovereign. He uses them as He pleases, does for them as He wants, and allows what we do not understand. His sight see's all true intentions, motivations, origins and ends. His knowledge is infinite and infallible. No single thing is at risk or uncertain, or even a gamble; for He is not dependent upon any created things to fulfill His intent or will. In all His decisions, doings, and demands He is most Holy. Angels and men owe to Him as their creator all worship, service and obedience, and whatever else He may require; even if it offends our intellect, is inconvenient, and appears on all levels to be "impossible". Adam and Eve, do not eat of the tree! Noah, build and ark! Abraham, take your son upon the mountain! Moses, walk before ME and be Holy! Joshua, march around the city of Jericho! "Lazarus, come out of your grave, come forth!" This is the God I know, this is the God of the bible, this is God of this universe. I hope this new year, this is the God you know or get to know...For He and He alone is God; there is no other! May we each grow in the Grace and the knowledge of this God...

GRACE: Gods Riches At Christ's Expense...

  Eph 2:8  "For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

   Through the years I have had great conversations with believers of the Christian faith about Grace and how it has impacted their lives. Many times the conversation will lead to each of us trying to describe Grace. Somewhere along the way the old stand by's come out "Grace is a gift of God" or "Grace is unmerited favor". This is true, but these old stand by's do not carry any "weight". To tell me that Grace is from God...is not a definition of Grace...it is simply telling me (where) Grace came from. To tell me that it cannot be earned, is not a definition...it is simply telling me that Grace is outside my capacity to deserve. Why is all this important? Well, I was just thinking that if Grace is so important to us; then shouldn't it be important enough to meditate on? Truly ponder? Then be able to express it in such a way that others might not only want to experience it, but develop a convicting need for it! Of course! This is what being a Christian is all about...to tell of His mercy, to tell of His GRACE!

   God is always a great beginning point. So let's start with God. What word crosses your mind when asked to describe God? Ultimately, every awesome, miraculous, incredible, wonderful word we can think of...will be taken to it's extreme and eventually find itself tied into the word "Holy". God says of Himself...."for I AM HOLY". I find no better word to describe God, then to use the very words of God while He was describing Himself to Moses. "Be Holy, for I AM HOLY". I love it...God did not say..."Hey Moses, be good, because I am really, really good". God did not say, "Hey Moses,be awesome, because I AM awesome". No...God Is Holy, and that is a completely different category than any other word. Because God is in a league of His own and all others fail in comparison. In fact, it is not enough to say that "all fall short of the glory of God".  It should be brought to light that we not only fall short, but we are so astronomically far away from being like God...that it is utterly shameful. Now we are on our way to understanding Grace...God is HOLY!

   Now let's talk about the receiver of Grace. It is an uncomfortable mirror to look into, but the 10 commandments expose humanity's immorality that plagues his day to day life. We cannot even keep the first commandment..."love the Lord they God with all they heart". I'm embarrassed to say, that as much as I love my Jesus, I do not love Him with ALL my heart. Under the light of Gods Holy scrutiny, He examines my heart, my mind, my soul and finds that as a child of God I am in the need of Grace and I am glad that Jesus blood washes me clean of where I fail to meet the standard of even the first commandment. So I will not even talk about the others. Can you see yourself in this paragraph? Can you see your desperate need for Gods Grace even at this moment? Can you feel the part of you that wants to justify why we can't love God with all our heart? Many want to say..."well, we are just human", "that's how it is". Oh how sinful we are, even if we are born again. Remember: there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. But I needed to speak in such a way that we got the point.

   Lastly, if we are going to understand Grace; we must not try and understand it in our present state. We must try to reflect on it in our "past" condition. The bible states that prior to salvation, we were enemies of God. We were hostile in our minds towards Him. Many will try to refute this as individuals and tell me that they never considered God an enemy and was never hostile towards Him. This is not the point, the point is not what "we think". What is important is what Gods Holy Word says. Many of us believe in the Word of God, we just don't let the Word of God change our mind in what we believe about ourselves. This can only be done through careful consideration of Scripture, for it is the power of God unto salvation. Prior to Grace: man is completely inadequate, he is utterly lost, he is a wretch, he is in darkness, he is as a manipulator, he is a bloody rag, he is a child of the devil. This is Gods Word, that came from Gods mind, that is Gods Truth...about humanity. I heard it once said, "it must be humiliating to be saved by Grace". She obviously was not a Christian, but nailed the point I am trying to make very well. It is not only humbling, but it is humiliating to be exposed.

  This biblical picture of man's condition reveals how how grossly different we are then God and our need for Grace. I don't think we truly understand Grace, until we reflect on how desperate in need of it we truly were prior to God apprehending us! It was not just a gift given to people who were suffering from an incurable disease. It was a gift given from our Holy, Righteous, Just, and Sovereign God; to a hateful, hostile enemy that scoffed Him, beat Him, stripped Him, punched Him...and then crucified Him. Grace, is the condition of Humanity through Gods eyes...and still deciding to be kind to us anyways, reaching out to us, changing us, apprehending us, and loving us! This is Grace, to love the unlovable! I hope this lesson was not too harsh. Sometimes the Grace of God is the Truth of God...we don't often get to hear it in this world any longer. It's something I've been missing...it helps me stay grateful. May you walk in love, may you live in love and may you give the Grace you have received from God. God Riches At Christs Expense! I hope this have helped you as you ponder those who have disappointed you, hurt you.............May you Grow with Grace...

Growth...it only comes from God!

Gen_2:9  And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; 

   The bible makes it clear..."God is the creator". But what what is simple to understand is often hard to apply to our own lives. I hope to help with that, take a look at the verse again: "Lord God made every tree to grow". Who made the tree to grow? God! So God was not only the creator of the tree, but is also the one who gives the Growth? God! This is the primary foundation to "living in Gods Grace". Growth comes from God! If it comes from God, we cannot give it to ourselves. 

  With this foundational truth, we are now equipped for the growth process.As His creatures we were always suppose to depend on God, trust in God to "Provide". Yes, even for our growth. Depending on God, trusting in God,...is the only place where we will ever find the hope, healing, peace, and "growth" that we are looking for so desperately. Living this way places us in a humble position of submission under our Creator to provide the resources we need for LIFE. Notice: what God grows in this verse, is "pleasant to the sight". This means that what God grows, is pleasing to Him; because it is a reflection of His own handiwork. 

   Now lets put all this together. #1. God Provides the Growth Growth.  #2. What God Grows...is Pleasing to Him.  Lastly is # 3. What God Grows.....is "Good for food".  Meaning that if you have truly been growing "Biblically", then your life has resulted in a such a way that you are providing "food" for others. Notice the tree was not only pleasing to look at, but that tree was "good for food". Meaning what God grows, God has intentions for, and what God intends...is that your life affects/feeds others for His glory! You and I have been grown in such a way that we would notice a person who is starving...and not pass him by. That we might give him/her just a taste of "living bread" that might awaken his spirit to the curiosity of knowing Jesus Christ.
   Now:
A. Acknowledge God as your Creator and Provider.
B. Confess Thanks for His Provision already in your years past. (Spiritual, mental, financial, relationships)
C. Confess Faith for His Provision in your future. (this pleases God to trust God)
D. Ask God to prepare your life...to grow your life...to provide the fruit that will feed generations to come.