"WHY, why do you call me LORD?"

If you've got pain, He's a pain taker.
If you feel lost, He's a way maker.
If you need freedom or saving, He's a prison-shaking Savior.
If you got chains, He's a chain breaker...

These are lyrics that have been going through my head off and on ever since I heard the song “Chain Breaker” by Zach Williams. I testify that the lyrics are truth and promise. He does take our pain. He does make a way. He does release souls held captive. He does break chains of oppression. But who really responds to His promises?

The most frustrating and disturbing thing I am currently processing within relationships and in "the Body of Christ", is people’s rejection of Christ's truth and promises. Not just people in general but believers. There are a lot of believers confessing Christ yet stay stuck in pits they shouldn’t be in. Jesus offers healing; but He is often rejected. He is reminding me lately that He said to the paralytic, “Do you WANT to get well?” See John 5.

He knows how to question and drill right into the heart of a matter. Do you really want to get well? Why do you call me LORD?

Too many are comforted by the chaos they’ve always known. They prefer to blame others and not look deep within. Jesus did say people love darkness more than light.

This week we had a major wind storm. I was out of town and staying in a place where the high winds were whipping through the place, shaking the windows and rippling through crevices in the foundation and siding. The old building reverberated for hours from each powerful wave of wind that crashed upon it. I could feel the house “shiver” as the wind penetrated. As I lay in bed, I thought of the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders taught by Jesus.

Luke 6: 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

This is a strong warning from Jesus and a call to dig deep and lay a foundation with the Word of God. If we don’t, there will be destruction and chaos.

In the last month I’ve heard the following from a variety of Christians:

• “I’m going to go see a Shaman for wisdom and direction.”
• “He’s an asshole.”
• “I won't forgive and I will never forget.”

God’s Word has clear replies in contrast to all this reasoning and heart response. Out of the heart the mouth does speak.

Isaiah 9:18a-“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God?

Conversely, in a fifth and more inspiring conversation of this month, I had the opportunity to listen to someone who has continued to inquire of God. Despite the horrors she experienced from family throughout childhood and even up to now, over many years of surrendering to God, her filter is clearly one who has a life built on what Jesus says. She was full of God’s wisdom. She gave him glory and repeatedly said, “The Holy Spirit showed me…” He opened her eyes to see the patterns of abuse in her family and how it helped fuel her poor choices. She didn’t blame them or God for her choices, she took responsibility for her choices. She walked me through what spiritual strongholds God healed in her because she was willing to turn towards her LORD and surrender sin. While she is still processing a great amount of pain and hurt by family, it was clear her life is being built on the Rock which is Christ.

Do you think she grew up in a "Christian" home? Yes. Sexual and emotional abuse, addictions, extreme betrayal and manipulation.

One does not have to go very far into relationships to find chaos. I have a friend who last month intervened with God’s heart for a family member who is on death spiral due to severe addiction; but to no avail. This person embroiled in addiction is also a formerly professed Christian.

I could go on with other tragedies; but it’s overwhelming honestly. If I did not have a relationship grounded in God, I would be looking at all of this and thinking, “What a bunch of crap this Christianity thing is.”

But thank Jesus Christ, that is not my story. I was one who experienced major chaos in childhood. I was one who was in an abusive relationship. I was one who wanted God to be a fairy god-mother and demanded He magically transform my world. I was one who was in major depression for 3 years. I was one who lied, cheated, and manipulated to get my way. I am one who continues to battle self-will and pride. God did not give in and does not give in to my selfish demands; but He did step in with a way out. His way. He continues to step in, and I’ve listened and obeyed. As a result, He has dramatically transformed, healed, and renewed me.

It's not easy. I battle and obey, battle and obey. But in the obedience there has been major fruit. Ultimately, I obeyed His loving calls to “go to counseling, get a Stephen’s minister, go to church, join a small group, serve, give, worship, fast, open up, study My Word,” etc.

We must get to place where we no longer insist on our own way. He’s not a slot machine or a trickster setting us up for a fall. He’s holy God who gave himself in a horrifying death so we can live through His resurrection power. His way not ours.

His way. This is how He took my pain. This is how He made a way. This is how He released me from death. This is how He broke chains of oppression.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?” - Jesus

1 Peter 4: …16But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”…

It is a sobering reality to live in the truth that we reap what we sow. And that God will not be mocked.

How do we pray for ourselves and for each other in the face of self-will versus surrendered to God?

Bless yourself and bless them with a broken spirit! God is close to the broken hearted and saves those with a contrite spirit. Most people think of this in terms of people who have been hurt due to unexpected loss and are mourning; but it is so much more.

Psalm 51:17- My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God will not despise.

Pray the following prayer for yourself, pray it for others. It is a compilation of Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Psalm 51:10-12, James 4:6-10.

“LORD bless me, bless “x” with a broken and contrite spirit. A broken and contrite heart LORD, you do not despise. Bless us with intimacy of your presence and love for You. Come close to those contrite in heart and spirit. Create in me (in “x") a clean heart O God; renew a right and steadfast spirit within. Cast us not away from your presence, do not take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, uphold us with your noble and gracious spirit. Humble us before you Lord, that you might lift us up.”

For a meditation, answer the first part of Jesus’ question, “Why do you call me LORD?” Write it down. Review what you wrote. Does your reasoning align with the WORD of God? Evaluate how much self-reflection is in your answer. Evaluate your reliance upon His saving grace and mercy. Close your eyes and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the state of your house, the strength of your foundation. What do you see? What is He saying to you? Do you want to get well?

“If you've got pain, He's a pain taker
If you feel lost, He's a way maker
If you need freedom or saving, He's a prison-shaking Savior
If you got chains, He's a chain breaker…”
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