Knowing God and what He does

In early July the Lord started speaking to me about the balance of knowing Him and knowing what He does. Specifically out of Judges 2:6:

6 After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to their own inheritance. 7 The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen ALL the great things the LORD had done for Israel...10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals.

I started to study the differences between the generation that was brought out of Egypt, the generation that stepped out in faith crossed the Jordan and took the promise land and then the generation that rose after and turned to other idols. What I found was the generation that both knew God and knew what He did, saw that not one of God's promises to them failed...that every inch of ground that the soles of their feet traveled was given to them. I want to be a part of a generation that lives in radical obedience to the Lord. This blog gives a small example of what it can look like when we apply what we know about Him in steps of faith.

I feel like those who have grown up in the church know a lot about God via what they have learned through veggie tales, reading the bible, numerous books, podcasts etc...I think you get the idea... However, when asked how have you seen God move or how has He used you, the memories are scattered or the answers are different from what we see demonstrated throughout the bible. Now I wrestle with this. Because I read the bible and desperately want to see those things in my life. I believe God is full of adventure and when we step out in faith and obedience we are stepping into an adventure with Him.

I co-Lead a small group of men down in Dallas and one of the things we really wanted to start pressing in 2011 is intercession and evangelizing.
So last night was our night to go out into Dallas and see what God had for us.

I had got an idea from listening to one of Matt Chandler's earlier sermons and a testimony I recently heard from one of my friends. So what Preston (co-leader) and I did was shared some examples of how we've listened to God and then respond by approaching a stranger and then praying/talking with them and how we are trying to cultivate an environment of obedience whether we see any fruit from that conversation or not.

Next I told them I was going to turn on one song and during that song I wanted them to ask God two questions 1. Where do I go 2. What does he/she look like? and then write down the first thing they either see or hear...

After the song was over everyone shared what they got and one of the guys, Jeremy, said he saw Cafe Brazil on Oak lawn and a guy in a white sweater, worn out jeans and then said he could have been just day dreaming or something haha. We then had everyone pair up and then go out (Luke 10)... I paired with Jeremy and took a new guy named Mark since he didn't hear or see anything. Jeremy continues to explain that he probably saw Cafe Brazil because he ate there two weeks ago and a white sweater because his roommate had one on earlier that day, so I'm like Jeremy shut up, we are going haha.

Mark is evidently skeptical about the whole thing because he had never done anything like this before. He doesn't really want to go and I could just see the tension and fear he had. (He explains later that he thought we were all crazy as we were listening to God and trying to get our "mission.")

We finally arrive to cafe brazil and even after we park, Jeremy says we can go to another Cafe Brazil if you guys want and I just ignore him and keep walking.

We walk inside and the hostess comes up to a guy who had walked in right before us, but he directs her to us since he was there to talk with the manager about a job. She asks us,a table for how many, and Jeremy tells her its ok we are waiting on someone. The guy, who is waiting for the manager, is wearing worn jeans, a white sweatshirt with a black jacket over it so I look at Jeremy and ask if that is him. Jeremy looks at him, the piece of paper, gets a weird look on his face and says I'm not really sure (which admits later he knew it was but fear crept in haha. why we go in pairs). I get the feeling it's definitely him so we went out on the porch and waited for him to come out. He walks out shortly after us with a distraught look on his face because the manager wasn't there and had apparently told him to come in because he might have work for him.

I introduce myself and ask him his name. Danny. I told him we were just at a bible study and while we were praying, Jeremy felt like God told him we needed to come here and talk to a guy in a white sweat shirt. He was like there's no way because I just walked in like a minute before you guys, did y'all follow me in? I said no, we didn't see you until we walked in so he was said ok I'll listen to what you guys have to say, what y'all wanna sit down or something and talk. Then he lifts up his shirt says I know the man and shows us a tattoo of Jesus on his chest haha.

I said yes let's sit down. I didn't feel the need to talk or explain but just to pray for him. As I'm praying I just start praying identity over him and I can sense that the presence of God is starting to move because a lot of the tension was removed and peace came upon us. As we say amen he looks back up and says no really, what is this about why are you guys here?

And I said, Danny look at me, Jesus sent us for you. We were miles away at my house and Jesus sent us here. Jeremy showed him the piece of paper that said cafe brazil, oak lawn, white sweater, worn jeans and he put his head down in his hands and just started weeping. I mean sobbing man. I look at Mark and his eyes are crazy big b/c it hit him. This was real, God sent us for Danny and his eyes begin to water as we sit around Danny and minister to him.

Danny sobs for a good two minutes or so and finally says through the tears...I just don't understand, life has been so hard, I've been in jail for the past 4 years and just got out two weeks ago and I'm trying to find out how to live life. I can't get a job because of all these tattoos and no one gives me a chance and it's been so tough. And then you guys show up and I just don't understand. He says years ago I would have run from people like you but tonight I decided to hear you out. He said I believe and I've read that Jesus died for my sins but I'm not on the level that y'all are at. I still drink, I smoke and I just got out of jail.

I told him that doesn't matter, that stuff is paid for at the cross. No one is perfect and that Jesus desire a relationship with him. We talk to him some more, I tell him this wasn't by accident, God loves him and He has more for him. I ask him how he feels and he says indescribable. Mark tells him, Danny you need to know that this has done so much to strengthen my faith, just your response alone has shown me how great and real God is.

I give him the address to the upper room, a ministry in that area, because he doesn't have a phone or transportation and it's right around the corner. He gives us a group hug and says he can't wait to go tell somebody about this.

Now I want to pause here and I want you to try and see things from Danny's perspective. A man with a past and story that most of can't even imagine. He has lived in the roughest conditions, seen the most extreme things, both sold and done drugs and in that moment, during that hour of his life, out of the 6 billion people on the face of this planet, God saw the brokenness and need in Danny's heart. And He responded, He came!!! by sending a couple of guys from a bible study to let Danny know God cares. This is something that goes far deeper than singing Jesus loves me in Sunday school. You cannot run from something like this, the revelation of His love for us changes us and strikes us at our core and we get to partner with Him showing people like Danny that He knows, He knows and that's why He came.

...As we drive back home, Mark says I think that is probably the most amazing thing I've ever seen. That probably did more good for me than him.

We saw what God does. Danny felt loved, Mark saw God move in power and Jeremy saw that he hears from God. It was a great night all around and there's more to be done in this city...