Ever-precious greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is my great honor and privilege to share my heart with you once again. Hurricane Ian had devastated Florida, and they were in much need of help. Teams of Christians assembled throughout the states sending the heart of Christ in a labor of love. One of those groups was our very own home church, Cornerstone Church of Howell. Their U-Turn for Christ program helps the fallen get up. They assembled a team to minister there; Pastor Todd always steady at the helm. As is the Lord’s way, it was quite the mixed group, from every age, tribe, tongue, and nation. Found among them was a godly woman named April; the sweetest of saints and mother of five adopted children.
The trip was now over, we were at church on a Wednesday night to hear the testimonies of what the Lord had done. They stood in front and shared, one by one, until it was April’s turn. She went up front with her five children, all of whom she brought on the trip to serve. These children testified as to the deep impact on them by serving. Finally, April shared with her 15-year-old twin girls, who were clinging to her side. When I say “clinging”. . . I mean clinging! They were humble and dependent as could be. They had a horrible past; but now, by grace, they are April’s family – her Christian home a beacon of Light as she loves them back to a hopeful future in Christ.
I watched very closely as the girls lovingly clung to April. I was fascinated as the Lord spoke to me through them. They constantly looked up into her face for her direction. They did nothing without looking up. They took not their eyes from April. They spoke not apart from her; never letting go of her. Finally, the girls shared their experiences. Although living daily in her approval, still, moment by moment they looked unto mommy. Sweet testimonies from the least of these.
In the work that Debbie and I have been called to, everyone has been beaten down thoroughly by sin. With the broken and wounded, some are deceived, some have been wrongfully imposed upon by others, while still others are obstinately willful – but all drink the dregs of wickedness as they fester in iniquity. They sin to their own demise against the most high God in the face of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As in the final moments of a boxing match, after having been pummeled repeatedly for years by satan’s nefarious minions, still they grope upwardly for a Hand. In desperation, with faith as of a mustard seed, hoping against hope, they reach for the God of all hope. They believe that He will Himself (personally) intervene for them, granting a miraculous victory! By grace alone, He often does, but rarely in the way one might think. Sin has had a deep, deleterious effect on them, the ever-widening concentric circle of its injurious weight dragging them downward. Sin’s bottom is only surmised by our musing of the Word.
As it is written, “And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
In that particular verse, the bottom is defined. “Cast” is the word that has always commanded my full attention. It is a word that dismisses the will, the Lord’s alone prevailing. To be cast presupposes a lifting up and throwing. It speaks of an irresistible and opposing force, empowered by the final judgment and sentence of the damned. I am reminded that immediately after my sentencing, shackled hand and foot, I was cast into Trenton State Prison. No choice and no reprieve – I was free among the dead. To the glory of God, all Heaven and earth will one day witness the fruit and final lot of the despisers of Christ. This thought ought to be for us a divine mandate, an irresistible summons compelling our witness. Evangelize we must; if not – examine thyself. . . whether ye be in the faith.
Yes, let us examine ourselves – are we drunk with the wine of worldliness in light of this grievous casting? Are we so deep into the political rabbit hole that we surmise the earth to be flat (there are many who do) contrary to the clear declaration of scripture that it is not? (Isaiah 40:22) Are we asleep at the proverbial wheel of witness while sinners perish for lack of our speaking?
Beloved, note well that a hardened heart begets the sin of omission, unbeknownst to most, grievously, it shall trouble many a saint at the judgment seat of Christ. Therein will be discovered that which we ought, but did not, for all things will be laid bare before the Eyes of Him to whom we have to do.
It is written, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, . . .Looking unto Jesus [clinging onto] the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. . .For consider Him. . .” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
As with all five of April’s beautiful children, so also, the people Debbie and I work with daily are being restored by the Lord. Here a little, there a little, some slower, others faster. Others are who they are – and will stay that way, and we will love them in it. The Lord did not deliver me from prison; He loved me in it. God alone builds saints according to His good purpose. Precious April, because of the gift of her children, is a saint of the richest sort!
Many things cannot be undone, but yet are handcrafted by the Lord into a masterpiece for His glory – none without cracks – that the treasure therein, the Christ, may flow unto others. The Lord serving us on the cross should deeply impact us. We should (as April’s girls) be clinging daily, and I mean clinging. . .to the Lord! Despite our horrible pasts, we should be humble and dependent as we walk in the privilege of being a beacon of Light to those around us. That very Light loves others back to a hopeful future in Christ Jesus our Lord! As did the girls with their mom, in order to serve well, we need to be constantly looking up to Jesus for direction. Let us do nothing without looking up! Speak not a word apart from Him whom your soul loves, and your testimony will be filled with His words and works. Let us live daily in His cleansing Blood and justified sanction. But still, moment by moment, by faith, we must ever be looking unto Him, clinging to Him who is the very author and finisher of our faith! Then, and only then, will we have sweet testimonies. . .
“AS THE LEAST OF THESE!”
JOYFULLY IN JESUS,
LOVE, PHILIP
“REMEMBER THOSE IN PRISON AS IF CHAINED TO THEM.”
