This Seat's Taken!

Ever feel frustrated?
Ever feel not good enough?
Ever feel like there has to be more to life than this!
Ever wonder why you it seems like as soon as you get focused, you're right back to searching for clarity?
Ever wonder why you feel the need to keep up with the Jones?'

It all comes down to one reason . . . as Christians we have amnesia or maybe it's because we are TOO polite. How? Simple, the one thing we MUST say and remember is, 'This seat's taken!'

See there is a chair, a throne if you will, in your heart, in my heart and there is ONLY ONE Entity who should sit on it. . . Jesus Christ.  The problem is, as believers we have the WORST case of amnesia. Either we have forgotten the seat is taken or we are too polite to pipe up and say, 'This seat's taken!' We not only don't say it to other people, we won't even say it to ourselves in our own spirit.

There is a reason why the Bible tells us 'we must guard the good deposit in our hearts and with the help of the Holy Spirit protect its precious truth.' (2nd Timothy 1:14). In other words, we must learn to say, 'This seat's taken!'

We let way too many things take lordship over our lives: our husband, our wife, our job, our girlfriend, our boyfriend, our money, our family, our reputation and many more. Those are good things, but if we kick Yeshua (Jesus' name in Hebrew) off the throne of our hearts in favor of any of those, we are committing idolatry.

And God's Word is very clear about idolatry. 'Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be their's.' (Jonah 2:8). Or 1st Samuel 12:21, which says, 'Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are worthless!'

We kick Jesus off His throne far too many times and then curiously, and ironically, wonder why where our joy went! Why am I not happy? Why am I frustrated? Why am I not content? The dangerous thing is. . .

Where the Danger Lies

While it's a dangerous enough thing to rob God of His glory, thus, in essence, telling Him something is better, the dangerous thing is when we take sin and make it an idol. When we do that, it becomes a foothold and once Satan gets a foothold, he will soon get a stronghold. What do strongholds become? ADDICTIONS! Think about it. If it's a bad thing for good things to become idols, what is it when BAD things become idols?

Pick lust over Christ enough and sexual sin will wreak havoc in your life! It will run rampant.
Choose alcohol over the Lord enough and sooner than later you find yourself an alcoholic, wondering how you got to this place! Pick the love of money over Him and you will find yourself never satisfied always chasing after the next dollar that with itself will ONLY bring frustration! Pick your job and will always be hungry for status not for knowing Your worth in Him!

What's scary is many of our idols are not things we would think of. . . maybe it's love of a particular sport, movies, music or social media. These things are NOT BAD, but if you give it lordship over your life, they become bad! There are many who exalt people, who have been given exceptional gifts and talents, onto unrealistic pedestals . . . thrones they were never meant to sit on.

There is nothing wrong with being a 'fan' of a favorite athlete, singer or star, but why look to a 'star' when you can look to THE Star . . . the very Creator of the person you look up to! How foolish we ARE! Our adversary is SO slick, he takes good things and turns them into bad things . . . then will just as craftily take bad things and WRECK our lives with them! Through idols he will destroy our intimacy with Christ and leave us so discontent we won't know which way is up.

I'm NOT Casting Stones, but Give Him the Glory!

I have had, and still have, idols in my life. While it may be difficult, in our frail humanity, to completely eliminate them . . . the key is being able to address them and through HIS strength giving Him His seat back!

Our God is a jealous God-- not in a stalker, hiding in your bushes, sort of way . . . but He wants YOU. Your gifts, talents, heart and very life. He wants your attention, your time and your affection. And I think a GREAT adage to keep in mind is this-- Just as quickly as He has given you ALL of it, He can allow any one thing or ALL of it to be taken, so that He gets His seat back! The Lord does not take things away from us because He is a spoiled brat or because He desires to punish us . . . He does it because He LOVES us so much that He knows NOTHING can fill us like Him.

Walk with gratitude, quit walking in judgment, love one another, share His joy and hope with them. Stop acting like you have amnesia . . . We deserved, and still do deserve, death and yet He gave life-- let that be our latest memory and let us extend grace and forgiveness to others instead of the condemnation we so eagerly tend to extend.

Christians often times condemn others for the very thing God delivered them from! Talk about a bad memory! We must cut out this deadly case of amnesia!!

Hear that? That's God knocking on the door of your heart. Feel that? That's Him tapping you on your shoulder. He wants His seat back.

'I am the Lord; that is my name! I will NOT give MY glory to another or my praise to idols!' (Isaiah 42:8).

See that Distraction? No I was Distracted!

We live in a time where technology grows faster than a teenager and social media pops up like zits on their faces. There is MySpace (well kind of), Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumbler, 4Square, GetGlue etc. Seems like every six months a new one pops up.

There are computers, cell phones, computers in cell phones, TVs, Playstations, Xboxes, DVD players, stereos and about anything 'i', you and I can imagine-- iPads, iPhones and iPods. Ever thought to wonder why? Is it man using their God-given ingenuity, creativity and the natural evolution or is there something bigger going on?

The New Slavery

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln freed all slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation-- a measure that thankfully changed our world for the better! But many remain in shackles, and while it has nothing to do with the color of our skin, it has everything to do with originator of slavery.

Who is that? None other than Satan, the fallen angel Lucifer, the Father of Lies and Ultimate Deceiver. How? What's the No. 1, but least thought of, distraction that keeps us from Jesus and our families? Technology.

Instead of throwing off everything that hinders us and riveting our eyes on Jesus, like Hebrews 12:1 implores us to do, we often times willingly put our shackles on and stop running. Who becomes our new master? Bingo, the Devil himself! No, I'm NOT comparing technology to the heinous, dispicable and evil act of slavery . . . I'm not even saying it is completely bad, but we don't see the distraction because we're too busy being distracted!

We don't notice the forest for the trees.

Don't believe we are in bondage? When is the last time you've gone an entire day without your cell phone? GASP! Many of you shuddered at the very question and propostion. Exactly. . . bondage!


This Isn't the 1950s!

Golly gee, you mean the computer, the phone and iPod are bad? Well shucks, you sound like one of those 'Jesus freaks' to me! None of it is bad, but wouldn't it be swell if we quit letting Satan run rampant in our lives through something that on the surface appears so innocent?

I know in my own life I've been guilty of running to him and begging for my shackles. I couldn't get on the computer fast enough, for hours at a time, and I would be lying if I said I shun modern-day gadgets, but what I've grown more conscious of is, I MUST find balance in using them. I remain a work in progress.

In the 50s, it was common for a family to sit down and have a meal together. No TV, no phone, no distractions . . . just each other. Conversation, laughter and validation were the iPhones, TVs and computers of their day. They fellowshipped, they enjoyed each other's company, they made each other feel important for that hour. It was a special time.

After dinner, they would gather around the TV and catch America Band Stand or listen to the radio, but for that hour parents and children had each other's undivided attention!

And now? We rarely eat dinner together and if we do it's guaranteed at least one person at the table has their cell phone out! Am I judging? FAR FROM IT! In fact, I used to be the world's worst! My Dad, my Mom and my sister made me aware of it and now I'm working on it. Rarely do I have my cell phone out at family dinners, during family time in general and when I'm spending time with my girlfriend and kids.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLb0KG6Umlw

Satan hates REAL relationships, but LOVES Distractions

The last thing our adversary wants is relationships. He detests us having a relationship with our God, so he encourages us to do ANYTHING but. He gets us B.U.S.Y.-- Being Under Satan's Yoke. A lot of this busyness is found no farther than our fingertips-- technology. See if the Devil can keep us distant from Jesus, isolate us, he can then pounce on us with frustration, sadness, depression and feelings of being discontent.

He first gets us isolated from our Shepherd (Jesus), pulls us away so we can longer hear His voice, causes us to separate from the flock (our family and other Christians) then gets us stuck in a thicket. I'm sure, by now, you can guess the thicket. What happens when we're stuck? He either kills us or nothing at all. In the thicket, he uses our natural tendency of doubt against us, manipulates our fickle hearts and the aforementioned feelings take over from there. We are miserable!

Finding Balance

The Lord asked Moses in Numbers 11:23 if His arms were too short? Do we believe God's arms are too short to help us find balance? Here are some suggestions on how to not find ourselves in the thicket.

Read the Bible.
Pray often~ talk to God.
Hear His voice (John 10:4 and 5) 'His sheep follow Him because they know His voice, but will never follow a stranger because they do not recognize his voice.'
Spend time with our families.
Validate our loved ones.
Cut back on the time you spend on our modern-day marvels.
Put away your phone during meals and 'quality' time.
Use your gadgets against Satan~ tell of God's love through Social Media. (Psalm 63:3 and 4).
Fast from things that have taken over lordship of your life. . . for hours or days.
Pick a day where you do not use your cell phone or computer.
Show the peope you are with, they are worth more (in that moment) than the person on the other end of that phone!

God will arm you with strength (Psalm 18:32). Do not fear for He will help you (Isaiah 41:10) and just go run your race in such a way as to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24) straight to Jesus. Just put your cell phone down before you do.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep ~ the SequeL

Now I lay me my faithful Lord
Of all the blessings this life can afford

Knowing You is simply the best
With gratitude as my pillow, I lay down to rest

I fell today, but You helped me get back up
Asking tomorrow that You fill my cup

Keep me safe from Satan's dart
& I ask You Jesus to touch my heart

May my words be soft, but my actions be loud
And each day Father help me make You proud!

John Mark Brooks
Copyright Sept. 14, 2012

Cross by the Road

There's a cross by the road, but it doesn't tell the whole story
A beautiful life came to a close and damn the end was gory

Two wooden sticks mark the end of your earth's journey
Once you were so alive then stiff carried off on a gurney

Your number was called before your time- at least that's what is said
Years pass, like cars on the road, but I still can't believe you're dead

Yeah that cross by the road makes me pause as I start to reflect
So many laughs, so many smiles, so many memories I'll protect

What was supposed to be a quick trip turned out to be your trip to the sky
And we're all left with broken hearts and tears while we ask the Lord why?

God simply allowed this conclusion for reasons we'll never know on earth
Because God had a special plan for you from the moment of your birth

I look at the cross by the road and think that could've been me not you
And think of the many days I give away though my days may be a few

I see other crosses by the road and I think of their family's tears, grief and pain
Trying to figure out why, is like counting grains of sand, it'll just drive you insane

But just like the cross 2000 years ago it took an ugly end for Jesus to make my life new
I don't remember twisted metal or shattered dreams, I just look at the cross and remember you!

John Mark Brooks
Copyright August 10, 2012

~Dedicated in loving memory and tribute to Jonathan David Brookins, my childhood best friend, and my little sister Karson Victoria Carroll~ I carry your dreams with me like a backpack and each day is like a trip to school. . . I pray I learn much on my journey and that I do not remain a fool.

GRAC3

SO undeserved yet nonetheless true
Mercy, grace, forgiveness~ that's You

I could use every breath to sing Your praises and it still wouldn't be long enough
You've never let me walk alone . . . on the prairie low or terrain that's rough

If I do not praise you Lord, the rocks and trees will surely cry out
Fill me up with Your Living Water then turn me into a spout

May the words of my mouth and Your love, through me, surely get them wet
May the overflow of my heart go toward the price I owe, my endless debt

Grace so unspeakably great, yet, about it, I can not keep my mouth shut
Love that pulls me out of the deepest abyss, yes, out of any rut

I've run from you, eaten the devil's candy, but I'd rather have your bread
I've been disobedient, walked my own way, now by Your hand I'd rather be led

You quiet my storms with a whisper that can only be heard by my Spirit
You give me courage to climb any moutain by telling me not to fear it

I humbly bow my head as I lay my crown at Your beautiful feet
For You my Savior died, so taht I would not feel Hell's unbearable heat

2000 years ago the cost of grace flowed down that piece of wood
Golgotha the place where our very worst changed into better than good

No fancy words just a sincere 'thank you' as tears roll down this sinner's face
No easy solution just a sacrificial, perfect love~ a love we call GRACE.

John Mark Brooks
June 27, 2012

The Verdict

'Judge, jury, ladies and gentleman, I would like to call your attention to the second piece of evidence
Exhibit B.'

Everyone looked at the table of evidence, except the Judge. He just smirked as to what was to come. Jing-a-ling . . . in one swift movement Jesus had jerked keys out of His pocket, but these weren't just any keys.

'Recognize these?,' Jesus said as He looked at the prosecutor.

'That look on your face was priceless when I rained on your victory parade and stopped the music to the greatest celebration hell will ever know. You thought I had died, but behold I Am alive! I snatched these right out of your gnarly claws (Rev. 1:18),' Jesus exclaimed!

'You were dead! I saw your lifeless, bloodied body hanging on the cross, saw them stick the spear into your side, place you in the tomb. I thought I had won that battle. I thought I had won the war. I didn't succeed in overtaking God, but I just knew I had killed His Son,' Satan hissed.

Jesus laughed.
'No need to cry over spilled milk."

'What I have here are the keys to Hades and to death. Like my dear friend Paul said, 'Death was swallowed up in VICTORY! Hades where is your sting? (1st Cor. 15:54-55) and I proved it that day!

The Messiah continued, 'Dad's plan worked!' he said as his voice raised with excitment. No surprise there . . . everything my Dad does is PERFECT!! But through my sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection, humans are able to be forgiven for their sins and have eternal life-- if they just believe, ask and do. Death is no more!'

With two pieces of evidence already presented, it was evident, judging from the jurors' reactions, this final witness was turning the tide.

Just days before a guilty verdict seemed like a mere formality, but now Jesus of Nazareth had laid the perfect foundation to prove His client was innocent. It was time for the third, and final, piece of evidence.

Exhibit C

Jesus took off his tie then unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. As he did this, there were murmurs throughout the courtroom. 'What on earth was He doing,' was what most people were thinking.

Like pulling something out of a stocking at Christmas, the Messiah had removed a necklace from underneath his shirt. But this wasn't just any necklace. Dangling from the cord was a bottle (Psalm 56:8).

Curiousity was at a fever-pitch as to what He was about to present. The anticipation was palpable-- like the kind those Wright brothers must've felt at Kitty Hawk in 1903 before 12 seconds that forever changed aviation and our world as we knew it.

'The contents of this bottle are from the day all of Heaven rejoiced. The day John Mark accepted me as His Savior, through his grandmother, when he was 5 years old in Elk Park, NC. These precious tears prove without any doubt my brother, my client and my friend is not guilty!'

Satan banged his fist on the table and hissed.

'But he's a fake! I've seen him over and over again do MY work and eat MY bread!! What he has proclaimed with his heart, and words, he has not practiced,' the prosecutor blurted out.

'There have been times my client has chosen this world, and his own desires, over me, but I rejoice over Phil. 1:6 . . . The work I have begun in his heart, WILL BE completed! You see that's what the blood, the nails and the cross were for-- the times my sons and daughters don't get it right,' Jesus said.

He continued, 'No, this grace, bought with a cost of my own life, should not be abused (Hebrews 10:26,27). It's as I have said, 'If you love Me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).' A simple truth, which requires great discipline and self-denial. I called out to him and he answered. I pursued him like a cheetah does a gazelle. I captured his heart, I inhabited his being and I speak and live through him.'

As Jesus stepped from the witness stand, something never seen before happened. Family members, friends and members of the public, who came out to watch the proceedings, all rose to their feet and applause detonated throughout the chamber.

'Worthy is the Lamb. Holy, holy, holy. We praise You, we worship You, we give You thanks! You alone are worthy,' they exclaimed.

The prosecutor knew he had lost after hearing Jesus defend his client. Furious, sad and without consolation from his legal team, he shouted.

'Make them shut up your honor! Order in the court! Make it stop!'

With great authority the Judge said.

'In my court, the praise NEVER stops! (Rev. 19:6,7)

The Verdict

Was I nervous? Sure, after all, it is my soul but the anxiety that once engulfed up my whole being had been replaced with peace and assurance (Col. 3:15).

'Has the jury reached a verdict?,' the Judge asked.

'We have your honor.'

'In the case of Satan vs. Brooks, the jury has found the defendant NOT-guilty. In addition, I sentence the prosecutor to eternal life in hell without the possiblity of parole,' the Judge said.

Every day we have the opportunity to strengthen the defense's case or the prosecutor's . . . whose will you choose?

What's the Verdict? Part 2

My ears perked up.

What could Jesus possibly say to defend me? I've been, at times, a wretch of a man . . . an undeniable sinner who denied Him time and time again. My self-destructive decisions made me not only relate, but fully understand what Paul spoke of when he said the good I want to do, I do not . . . but the very thing I HATE, I do. (Romans 7:15).

So what could Jesus, my Savior, the very Entity who walked earth with NO sin, who even though he was Deity did not rely on His supernatural strength to resist temptations while in his human form, say or present that would reverse the inevitable guilty verdict?

While I knew, in my mind, of my impending doom, I remained hopeful. Why? Because far TOO many times to count in my life has a situation looked so bleak, or appeared to so dim, and only to see Jesus swoop in to do exceedingly more than I could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I have learned with Him the impossible becomes possible . . . just through touching the hem of His garment (Luke 8:40-48).

Did He always answer every prayer I wanted with a yes? Nope, far from it . . . but I am SO glad He did not. After all, what trust and dependency would that require of me if he always gave me everything I want?

I held on to a glimmer of hope because the very Author of hope was on the stand. This was not my pastor, friends, parents or siblings (Obligated? Hmmm. . . no they are the only ones, before your death, required, by law, to say nice things about you, right?)

Exhibit A. Three nails and a piece of wood

When Jesus removed the lid and revealed to everyone in the court room the contents under it, great wonderment filled the place. Like removing a turkey from the oven, emotion permeated the court room . . the Christians were moved to tears, while non-believers were piqued with curiousity as to what these four things could possibly mean.

'Two thousand years ago,' Christ said.

'Dad felt the separation of his creation (humans). Felt is an understatement. He was overwhelmed with sadness, even flooding earth with his tears at one point (Genesis 6:13), and anger because of the way human beings had turned their back on Him beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden."

'I had never seen Dad that way. He desperately longed for them to be close to Him like they were in the garden after He made Adam from dust. So one day I'm sitting beside Him and He says I have a job for you son. It won't be easy, I remember His thunderous voice cracking with emotion, but it all WILL be worth it,' Jesus said.

The Judge's eyes filled with tears as they rolled down his cheeks. While it was clear He was listening, He was vividly recalling that conversation with His Son. Sure the Judge could've chosen ANYTHING to serve as the necessary sacrifice to reconcile His beloveds to Him, but what better way to demonstrate agape than to sacrifice the most precious One to Him-- His only Son?

Yeshua continued, 'On the Mount of Olives, I tried my best to talk Dad out of His 'wonderful' plan (Luke 22:42), but it was no use. Once Dad has His mind made up, that's it. End of story. Plus, there is nothing that brings me more pleasure than pleasing my Father, so I agreed to it."

'I pulled out all the stops . . . I even sweat blood for crying outloud. But Dad wouldn't budge. The day after was beyond anything I could've conjured up. They punched me, kicked me, spat on me, whipped me and dug a crown of thorns into my head. With the meat being ripped off my bones, blood pouring out of me like a fountain, the beating continued. Who would've ever thought humans could have contained so much hatred?

Jesus stopped for a moment, cutting his eyes to the prosecutor.
'I know you were behind that. Any way, where was I.'

'While the pain was unimaginable, Dad sustained me. The whole time they were doing it, two things carried me through: Pops' words telling me it will all be worth it and my, well our (remember we are three in one) love for each one of you. Love isn't the word we use, we say agape, which basically means relentless, passionate, unconditional, all encompassing.'

Jesus described the sheer agony of the nails being hammered into His wrists and feet, the brokenheartedness of seeing his family, friends and disciples having to witness it all. The hurts on their faces and the helplessness they felt. Looking into His mother's eyes while gazing down from the cross, knowing He could have angels rescue Him or just call Dad and all the suffering would be over, but he resisted.

And let me just tell you, it sounds like Michael and Gabriel, among many of the other seraphims and cherubims wanted a piece of those humans and demons who were responsible for their King's pain and suffering.

The devil, and legions of demons, tempted Him each step of His journey to the Place of the Skull (Golgotha), but Jesus resisted. He thought and even said aloud, 'If this is what it takes, it's a small price to pay.

As Jesus gestured to Exhibit A . . . eyes widened at the sight of the the iridescent holes in each of His wrists. It was a strange and powerful moment to behold as I glanced behind me to see people fall on their knees, 'Forgive me Lord. I didn't think you were real. I thought you were like the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. I thought you were fake or something somebody conjured up so they could have comfort and more of a purpose. I ask you into my heart to be my Savior,' a businessman, dressed to the nines, said as he raised his arms to Heaven before kneeling prostrate before His Lord.

Satan hissed.

'Your honor are you going to allow this," he said outraged of the sudden outbursts taking place on every aisle of the courtroom.

'There must be order!'

The judge glared at Satan, peering into his eyes before the father of lies cast them to the ground, cowered, and simply said, 'I Am.'