“One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.” – (Ps. 27:4)
Two weeks ago, Larry (our senior Evangelist) and his wife, Maribel were in a car accident. A brake rotor from another vehicle hit Maribel in the forehead. Immediately, she was unconscious upon impact. She was rushed to the hospital and rushed into surgery with a crushed skull. We have been standing and believing for a miracle.
On Monday, the Doctors decision to stop the drugs that slowed down her body functions. They would have to determine the question of Maribel being brain dead or not. If there was a determination that she was indeed brain dead, the State of California would not allow them to sustain her.
Beloved, before you think of this as an awful decree, this is really a mercy of the Lord.
Our current question…How do we let go of what is in our hand but not our faith? What does that look like? Faith begins with a petition and ends in a surrender. It begins with a request that we perceive is the answer that we need. But, by the end, we are yielding to, “Lord, Your kingdom come, Your will be done. In this journey, I have discovered You”.
We usually begin with an answer. “I see what is best for me—heal, live and not die, rise up”. But at some point, we have to rise up and say, “Ok, Where are You, Father? What are You doing, Jesus? What is the decision from heaven?”
Jesus is unpredictable in the outcome, faithful in the journey. If you can predict the outcome, then He is a machine. If He responds to perfect actions, then we are in the law and we didn’t need Jesus to ever die.
I have enough history with the Lord that this is not a guarantee that it will come the way everyone wants it to come. I asked the Lord, “Where are we in this?” I always listen for scripture because this is how I find my reference point.
The Lord said, “You’re like King David right now. You are standing over a decree of death. (In David’s case, it was the decree over the child that had been conceived in adultery with Bathsheba). The decree was that the child was to die. He immediately went to prayer and fasting. He refused to be comforted. After seven days, the child dies. David asked, “Is the child dead?” They said “Yes”.
To their amazement, he gets up, goes back to his house, washes, puts on new clothes, worships and asks for food. David’s explanation is found in 2 Samuel 12:22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
This is crazy faith—the disconnecting faith that will allow a people to perceive what is really true, and not succumb to what is the temporal reality of the moment.
One of the things that is being forced into our experience is fearless love—fearless of death. Love that is fearless. Faith is not a calculated act to bring a desired result. It is an abandonment into love and trust. Fear brings control and love brings trust. If everything was stripped away from us…what would be the one thing for us? In Psalm 27:4, David asked for one thing…
Maribel, finishing her race, is now home with her beloved Jesus. She has attained her “One thing”. She has chosen to dwell in the house of the Lord for all her eternal life and behold His beauty in heaven. What joy has been found! We will all celebrate her homecoming this Friday at 2:00pm at her Memorial Service and reception following, at Jubilee Church.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, July 22, 7PM: Men and Women’s combined, “Saved Your Seat” Discussion Groups—All are invited to join us as we start a new series on walking out our journey, using Ps Steve’s book as the focus of our discussions. Discussions will be led by Pastor Brian and Pastor Becky in Room 4 each Tuesday.
Wednesday, July 23, 6PM: Discovery Group – Discovering His love on our Journey
Wednesday, 7PM: Glory Service – Walking out your Journey of Love.
Friday, July 25, 2PM: Maribel Bingman Memorial Service at Jubilee Church, with reception to follow in the Family Room.
Sunday, July 27, 9AM: Larry Bingman will be sharing “Rise Up, Run the Race, and Finish the Course.”
Sunday, 10:20AM: Nations Prayer – The whole world is shaking into the hands of Christ – join the voice of God in prayer Thai Sunday over His nations.
Sunday, 11AM: I will be sharing “The Ransomed of The Lord Returning”. The dynamic transformation that is taking place at Jubilee…Sorrow and sighing are fleeing away.
Monday, July 28, 7PM: Monday Night Prayer gathering for Pastor Steve and Cammy’s upcoming trip to London. All are welcome to join us.
