The Least of these

"An Appalachian Dawn" is the latest Transformations DVD produced by The Sentinel Group. It tells the compelling story of the people of Manchester, Kentucky and Clay County. I have had the privilege of touring in a number of cities with Pastor Doug and Linda Abner from Manchester. They have lived out this transforming work of God. The have many times repeated their belief that God did this work there in spite, or maybe because they are just simple folks.

There is something very powerful about this truth. Last week the Abners and I were privileged to meet with some of the people in Concrete, Washington. As we drove up to the church where we were to be meeting, Doug and Linda continuously remarked how much Concrete and the surrounding area looked like Eastern Kentucky. When we got to the church and began our meeting, the presence of God was just overwhelming. Doug and I have done this dozens of times, but never was it like this. All three of us had such a sense of God's love for and favor upon this people! We could hardly keep ourselves composed. The Father was telling them that he saw them, He loved them, and He wanted to come to them. Here were a simple folk that God obviously had His eye upon, and His heart toward. It was an amazing time for all in attendance.

This truth is often lost on many of us. We get so entangled with ourselves and our stuff. I had a fellow email me how he and his sister had walked out on one showing because they were offended at the graphic scenes depicting what the characters in the DVD were going through in Manchester/ Clay County.  I have to admit, I was a bit taken aback... so we want the needs and issues of sin to be "sanitized" to be more palatable for us? Oh my goodness! It is actually the reality of the effects of sin in our culture that should make us desperate for Him!

God is attracted to those who are of a broken and contrite heart... in fact in Isaiah 66:1-2, God says, This is what the Lord says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into begin?' Declares the Lord. 'This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.'

It's worth taking a look deep in our own hearts. God is a heart-reader and so we really need to ask Him to show us our hearts as HE sees us. We are the worst judge of the condition of our own hearts.

Lord, show us the true condition of our hearts, and increase in us a capacity for, and a hunger for the things that attract YOUR presence. In Jesus Name. AMEN