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- Written by: Don Goulding
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well … (Luke 6:27-29)
The one called Faithful and True rode a magnificent white stallion. I wanted to enter Christian ministry, so a white horse was given to me also. Its name was Love. I rode behind the King as he trampled injustice and comforted the oppressed. Joy awoke in my heart.
Christian coworkers came alongside and I was thrilled at the camaraderie. I hailed and they returned greetings. Then one of the smiling riders knocked me to the ground.
What was that? I wasn’t perfect, but still, the coworker was on a white horse, the same as mine. I nursed my aches and muttered, “Why?”
Jesus drew up his steed and chuckled. Did that laugh mean this was some kind of game in which friends attacked friends?
A bit wary, I remounted and tried to stay close behind my Master’s great stallion. More white horsed riders came alongside, grinning. I trusted them and was yet again unhorsed, thrown to the mud.
I am slowly acquiring the secrets of Christian ministry. To some, it is a game. They try to steal the place of honor close to the King by knocking others down.
To Jesus, ministry is fun, but it is no game, and it has rules.
Rule #1—riding close to Jesus is a primary objective. It yields spoils of great honor in eternity.
Rule #2—Unhorsing another rider disqualifies rewards earned under rule one.
Rule #3—The greatest of all prizes goes to those who are knocked down, then forgive, remount, and ride again.
Prayer: Conquering Savior, help me forgive and never retaliate.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
Where can I go to escape your spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence? If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea, even there your hand would guide me, your right hand would grab hold of me. (Psalms 139:7-10)
Hiding from the activity of the mission station in Zimbabwe, I sat with my back to a clump of shade trees overlooking a steel-blue lake. As I met with the Lord his presence spread peace out to my limbs. He faithfully comforted me every time I visited the spot.
The upside to a nomadic missionary life is that I learn a truth I should have known when I had a permanent address. Home is not a place with numbers and a street name, it’s the presence of Jesus in my life. Not that my calloused heart lets me walk around enveloped in awareness of the Lord, yet, whenever I reach out I find him waiting.
Like anyone, I need a roof of protection, walls to keep out the elements, and rooms filled with peace. But no structure of wood and bricks can guarantee these necessities. Only the Spirit of Jesus Christ gives me the home I seek. He alone protects my heart from threats outside. His Spirit fills me with peace.
I’ve ministered in some of the most impoverished homes on the planet. Families living atop trash heaps or in shacks built on old tires set into the swamp. They know better than me this truth, that Jesus is our real home. Many of them enjoy a far more homey base of operations than do the wealthy. This fact is true because home is a person, not a place—the person of Jesus.
No matter where my feet wander or what trials surround me, Jesus is my permanent address. He is my table of joy, my bed of rest, and my forever sanctuary.
Prayer: Lovely Comforter, you are my home.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:1-3) (NIV)
Bali was a Chinese flower with a loser stalker boyfriend. When she accepted Jesus, the boyfriend claimed to convert also. Then she discovered he was married to another woman. During our secret church service, he sent twenty text messages to keep his claws in Bali.
The wonder of the gospel is that it not only saves us, but it also transforms human suffering. I have yet to encounter a form of agony the cross cannot redeem. Ashes change into crowns, mourning becomes joy, discouragement turns to praise. Allow me to demonstrate.
The house church put Bali in a chair and placed their hands on her shoulders and head. Because all Christians are called to the work of intercession, we anointed her forehead with oil and prayed.
“By the power of Jesus, we pronounce this unholy love nailed to the cross. We break the emotional ties and exchange them for the pure love of your greatest admirer, Jesus Christ.”
In response to our invocation, the Holy Spirit set a protective hedge around Bali’s heart that her ex’s words no longer penetrated. At the same time, he flooded her awareness with the cherishing love of Jesus. Cleansing tears streamed to her petite chin.
Life hurts. It gouges, bruises, and scars. We are licensed to perform the great exchange on every wound. There is nothing hell can throw at us that heaven can’t convert into victory. We are anointed into this ministry and, for every day God allows us to remain on earth, our mission is the great exchange.
Prayer: Spirit of the Sovereign LORD, today let me crown the maimed with beauty.