TURN ON FAUCET 5
ESPECIALLY TO OUR LOVED ONES!
This morning, as we drink our hot cup of coffee, I am asking for the warmth of the Holy Spirit to consume you!
Today, this pastoral reflection is for all of you who are praying and have been praying, for your loved ones, your close friends and those dear to you. May this reflection bring you encouragement and hope!
So, Ray and I want to share a little glimpse of how Jesus and the Holy Spirit worked in our lives over these last 45 years. YES, it has been a long but wonderful journey!
WHY share this with you? Good question! As we conclude a magnificent week of sharing about the Holy Spirit, I am aware of many of you who have been praying for your loved ones and friends. Praise God for your faithful prayers! Please know HE has heard your prayers! Please know HE is at work! Do not stop praying, or stop believing for your loved ones! PLEASE continue to forgive, to love, and to share your life with them, in any way possible, as we trust the faucet to turn on in their hearts!
Scripture Background: Isaiah 25:, 1, 4, 9 NIV:
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”
“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. ”
“In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in HIM, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in HIM; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
QUESTION; “Things planned long ago,” did you hear those words? Those four words are very important in turning the faucet on in trusting the Holy Spirit to be at work in your loved ones, at a time worked by God Himself!
Here’s some of my significant and memorable times with Ray that shaped our life journey.
I vividly remember my son Aaron, praying for Ray’s standard black poodles to have pups. Ray shared with us, that the poodles were trying to have pups. Aaron was about five and he piped up saying he wanted to pray, and if they had pups, could he have one. Of course, Ray shared that if they had pups, Aaron would get the best of the litter! Well, Aaron prayed and they had pups! And Ray indeed blessed us with Shiloh, an awesome, black standard poodle that brought years of joy for Aaron and us!
BUT, this story leads to a deeper and wider story! Ray and his wife were also trying to get pregnant. They shared this with us and asked if Aaron would pray for them? Of course, Aaron excitedly prayed for them! And by God’s grace, a son was born!
This short glimpse was long ago in our relationship but one where God began showing up as Ray and I shared life together.
I would pray for years for Ray to experience the love and powerful grace of Jesus! When we were able, we would spend time together, doing what we both so enjoyed as men loving life! We would ride motorcycles together, later in life. We enjoyed sports together, football games, basketball games, both college and professional teams. We would enjoy each other’s company as often as we could, which was a challenge with me being in the Air Force. Regardless of Ray’s lack of faith, he had a heart of gold! We were blessed with a kindred soul connection that is a challenge to put into words. But that also created a heart within me of continued prayers for Jesus to show up in his life! On many difference occasions, I would bring up Jesus or church. Remarkably, Ray’s love for Debby and me tolerated these moments of my spiritual intrusion into his life! But, I needed to take risks at times, and I needed to continue to pray.
However, during my first assignment at the Pentagon, Ray and Kelly reached out and said, “Look I have the room, it’s expensive here, so why don’t y’all come live with us? It will help you save money and give us time together. WOW, of course we accepted this gift and it became a dynamic time of our relationship together. It was one thing for Ray to share this gift but Debby and I were so blessed that Kelly’s heart was open to allowing us to be part of their family over the next two years, what love!
Of course, this provided us all more time together to enjoy life, to share, to bond deeper in our relationships with each other. Debby and I continued our spiritual journey with a local church, as we just loved on and were loved by Ray and Kelly. Debby and I strived to just be a witness of Jesus through our relationship with them, which brothers and sisters I have learned over time is one of the best ways for us to share Jesus with our loved ones or friends—just be sincere, honest, and live out our faith without being judgemental or choosing to neglect these relationships because they do not believe in Jesus. How can we expect others to know Jesus if we who love HIM and are not willing to spend time with them in relationships that enable them to experience HIS love through you?
WHY Lord, did it take my brain cancer to prepare Ray’s heart? Why Lord, after all this time, did it take my suffering for Ray’s heart to be strangely warmed by the power of the Holy Spirit and to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior? I will never know, or understand, but I just say, “Thank You Jesus”! Now, I will let Ray share a few words with you.
Jerry’s right. We had an instant bond when we met as young men. It’s strange to say, but as long as we’ve know each other, we can’t seem to hold anger towards the other. Jerry always had a singular focus to share Jesus. A conviction that never waivers and I admire him greatly for that. I on the other hand held an intellectual conviction that many religions may vary in their spiritual tenets, customs, and beliefs but ultimately we all worship the same God.
Maybe Jerry getting cancer and my love for him did open my heart to the Holy Spirit, but I believe it’s more. I love a man that lives a Holy life but not a perfect life. Jerry cares for his fellow man and he doesn’t demand or push for them to accept his truth. Jerry loves our Lord. His genuine desire to live his life pursuing God’s will is and was the catalyst that opened my heart to Jesus. I believe it’s that simple. Through his example I followed.
At first I was tentative, almost afraid to feel this new beginning within me. At the same time I experienced Jerry’s life threatening cancer bringing him even closer to Jesus. Then in the mist of my new beginning, I received the greatest gift of my life. I call it a vision because I don’t have the right words to describe it, but God allowed me to experience His love. It brought tears to my eyes. It was so pure it seemed to have form. I just sat there seeing, feeling, knowing absolute love. So beautiful. I feel so blessed.
As Jerry walks with Jesus in his life’s journey, through our love for each other, I unknowingly was walking with him. Held in his heart and in prayers. Then one day I looked into Jerry eyes and I knew. I accepted and was received.
So love, patience, non judgmental friendship, and a forgiving relationship was the path that lead me to the truth. I feel a peace I’ve never known.
So Jerry to answer your question. I believe your example of how you live your life was the hand that guided me to Christ not your brain cancer.
I love you buddy.
Now back over to the Pastor Jerry.
QUESTION: As you read our story this morning, what loved ones or friends come to your mind that you are in prayer for? When is the last time you called them or visited with them? Do you believe that the Holy Spirit can use YOU, your experience, your presence, to be the catalyst for the radical transformation of sharing Jesus with them or someone else? I hope so…I pray so!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I give you thanks for the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit! My heart and my mind is open to YOU and YOUR presence, so come Holy Spirit, move within me as YOU desire! Come, Holy Spirit, move within me daily, weekly. Help me to experience YOU more often in my life SO I CAN NATURALLY BECOME THE WITNESS OF YOUR GRACE, YOUR LOVE, YOUR WITNESS YOU DESIRE FOR ME TO BE…within my church, within my community, within my home, within my marriage, within my work environment! THANK YOU JESUS!
