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Where Do You Run?

Where do you run?

“O my people, trust in Him at all times.  Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

When life overwhelms you, where do you run?  What holds you up in a crisis?  Do you escape to the television, to your handheld screen, to social-media, or to a substance?  When a trial becomes more than you can bear, where to you go?  Who holds your heart?

As the writer of Psalm 62 encourages us, trust in the Lord in every circumstance.  Before you air out your troubles to the world on social-media, pour out your heart to God.  Run to Him as your primary (and only true) refuge.

Does your distress drive you further from God or draw you closer to Him?  Run to the Lord – every time.

God had a ministry mission for Jonah, which quickly became a crisis to him.  Jonah ran away from God until the Lord got his attention with a whale-a-gram.  God put Jonah inside the big fish so that God could work on the inside of Jonah.  God will often relentlessly pursue us until we pursue Him and run back into His loving arms.

After the 2003 Kansas flash-flood that consumed the lives of my wife and all four children, I thankfully made the no-regrets choice to run into His loving arms.  Only the Comforter – the Holy Spirit – can provide peace at a time like that.

After Job’s ten children died and his business collapsed, he demonstrated where to run.

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head.  Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.  The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’  In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:20-22)

If ever a supreme example existed for us to follow, it is Job’s response to tragedy.  He was my inspiration in 2003, and his example still challenges me today – amidst multiple global pandemics (health, political, cultural, etc.).

The Psalms are full of people who ran to the Lord in their troubles.

“O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out to You by day.  I come to you at night.  Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry.  For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near.  O LORD, I cry out to You.  I will keep on pleading day by day.” (Psalm 88:1-3,13)

Can you relate to the psalmist, crying out to God amid struggles?  If so, then pray to God in the daytime, at nighttime, in good times, and in bad times.  Keep on praying and don’t stop.  Keep reading Scriptures that encourage you.  As Saint Jerome – one of the Church’s great biblical scholars – wrote, “The reading of Holy Scriptures should follow upon prayer, and prayer in turn should follow reading.”

In other words, keep praying to God and keep reading your Bible, one after the other.  Stay in the Presence of Almighty God.  Stay connected to Him.

I composed a song in 2005, a few years after my family died, entitled “I Will Run to You”.  Here is a brief excerpt:

When I don’t have the strength to take another step

When I don’t have the voice to say another prayer

When my spirit is still willing to believe

But my flesh is so weak, oh Lord

 

I will run to You – You are my refuge

I will hide in You – in the palm of Your hand

I will cry to You – my tears on Your shoulder

You are my fortress – of peace and solitude

When I need to run – I’ll run to You.

 

Be encouraged that “Though I am surrounded by troubles, You will protect me… You reach out your hand, and the power of Your right hand saves me.  The LORD will work out His plans for my life — for Your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.  Don’t abandon me, for You made me.” (Psalm 138:7-8)

God will work out your situation for His glory, for your good, and to help edify others.  As His work gradually unfolds in your life, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36)

Since August 2003, I have not stopped believing.  My faith in Jesus has not wavered.

God has used my great test as a mighty testimony to His redeeming power.  Many people have witnessed the goodness of God through our family’s story since then.  At least 300,000 people have personally encountered the Gospel as I’ve freely shared over 1,312 times since 2003 – all by invitation.  Although my testimony has cost me everything, I still charge NOTHING(No agent. No “fees”. Pure God.)

I received this encouraging response recently on Facebook.  All glory be to God.

“You are an inspiration to so many.  I look forward to hearing you speak again someday.  Truly an amazing life-altering event of what you experienced, as well as how it touches the hearts of those that hear you share it.” (Facebook post – August 30, 2020)

Joy Still Abounds…17 Years Later

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2)

17 years ago (Aug 30, 2003), my wife (Melissa) and our 4 precious children (Makenah [8], Zachary [5], Nicholas [3], and Alenah[ [1]) all drowned – when all 6 of us were plunged off the Kansas turnpike by a 7-foot wall of water into a deep deluge.

The last thing I considered feeling then was “great joy” (James 1:2).  This felt beyond mere “trouble.”  I experienced depths of overwhelming misery.  I was inundated by grief.  I still miss them.  Yet, by God’s sheer grace alone, I was not devastated.

Life is full of troubles, detours, delays, difficulties, and distresses.  Jesus promised, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I have found that the key to navigating these challenging seasons – similar to this current global pandemic – is how we respond.

Have you found yourself mad at God, frustrated at changes beyond your control, and powerless to return life to “normal” – as it was before?  It’s fine to feel these emotions.  I experienced these and many others in the aftermath of my family’s deaths following the Kansas flash-flood.

The key is not to stay stuck there.  Don’t stay bitter and bent out of shape at God and others. Surrender your cares and emotions to God.  “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7)  Never deny your pain or tears, but don’t stay planted there either.

The best way to begin handling a crisis is to transfer the unbearable weight of it into God’s hands.  Let go.  Surrender.  After my family died, I had to place it all in God’s loving hands.  It was undeniably unbearable for me.

What helped me then – and what can help us all now – is to try viewing these troubles through the lens of eternity.  Ask the Lord to give you the grace of a Heavenly perspective.  As I did, I discovered these truths:

  • My trouble did not take God by surprise. God is sovereign and still in control.  “The LORD rules over the floodwaters.  The LORD reigns as King forever.” (Psalm 29:10)
  • Nothing happens to me that isn’t first filtered through God’s mighty fingers. (see Job 1:12) Somehow, God allowed this to happen for the greater good and for His greater glory. Even when we don’t understand, we can still trust His mighty hand.
  • If God permitted this global 2020 pandemic and the Kansas 2003 floodwaters, then He clearly can grant us the strength, grace, and provision to endure them. “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

In light of these 3 divine realizations, I was then finally able to “consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2)  I was joyful for my family – that they were basking in their Heavenly reward.  I was joyful for my 8 years as a father and 11 years as a husband before the flood.

I was joyful when I witnessed God using my family’s story to draw others to Christ, to heal broken hearts, and to restore families.

I was joyful that God was now using this distress to develop my faith, strengthen my endurance, and refine my character.  “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

Every challenge is an opportunity for greater spiritual growth and fruitfulness – if we allow it and if we invite God into the midst of it.  How we respond to a crisis determines the value that we – and others – receive from it.

What’s your story?  We all have one.  Whatever it is, ask God to use it for His greater glory.  Ask the good Lord to edify others through it.  Offer it up to God.  Then watch what He will do through it.

Since August 2003, God has used my great test as a mighty testimony to His power.  Many people have witnessed the goodness of God through our family’s story since then.  At least 290,000 people have personally encountered the Gospel as I’ve freely shared over 1,300 times since 2003 – all by invitation.  Although my testimony has cost me everything, I still charge NOTHING(No agent. No “fees”. Pure God.)

I received these encouraging responses after a recent Facebook Live testimony.

“God opened my heart tonight….thanks….needed to hear this testimony.”  “Robert Rogers you are absolutely amazing! …love, trust, and faith keep prevailing to a greater path.”              (Facebook posts – June 10, 2020 –sharing testimony on Sean Forrest Live)

All glory be to God.

The Mission of Mighty in the Land Ministry is to teach others to KNOW GOD personally and Live a Life a NO REGRETS.  To that end, our 3 primary goals are to:

  • Evangelize souls.
  • Heal hearts.
  • Restore families.

Never give up. God hears our prayers…

“…your faith is great.  Your request is granted.” (Matthew 15:28)

How would you like to hear those words from the Lord right about now?  “Your prayers have been answered because of your great faith.”  Thank you, God!

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

But perhaps you feel the level of your faith is just not there yet.

I encourage you, never give up on the Lord.

Never give up your faith.

Never stop praying.

The cascade of these concurrent health and cultural pandemics has tried and tested our faith to the core, hasn’t it?  Life has a way of stretching us thin.  Ultimately, I believe the root of these global pandemics is actually a spiritual pandemic.  We are seeing the fruit of what it means to turn our backs on God.

Yet, there is hope.

There is Good News.

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8)

God awaits us to return to Him and recalibrate our lives under His guidance and care, fully dependent upon the Lord, alone.

In Jesus’ time, a Gentile woman “came to Him, pleading, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!  For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.’” (Matthew 15:22)

Aren’t we crying out to God in a similar way?  “Lord, have mercy on our country, for a pandemic torments us severely.”

“But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word.” (Matthew 15:23)

Whew, that is tough.  Imagine being ignored by the Son of God.  Would you give up then?

Perhaps you feel as though God is not replying to your urgent prayers right now.  Do you feel as though He is ignoring you?  Consider the possibility that perhaps the Lord’s silence is intentional…in order to draw something deeper out of you.

God has a way of using distress in our lives to develop our faith to a deeper level…so that we can have “great faith.”  So, don’t throw in the towel.  Don’t give in.  Don’t give up.

“Then His disciples urged Him to send her away.  ‘Tell her to go away,’ they said.  ‘She is bothering us with all her begging.’” (Matthew 15:23)

Another setback for this dear woman.  On top of Jesus’ silence, the disciples were trying to whisk her away for causing such a commotion.

What about you?  Do you feel like you’re “bothering” Jesus with the same prayers, day after day?  Don’t give in.  Don’t give up.  God never tires of hearing you pray.

“But she came and worshiped Him, pleading again, ‘Lord, help me!’” (Matthew 15:23)

When all hell breaks loose – like it is now in our country and world – worship the Lord.  Acknowledge Him as the only one Who can fix our situation, and worship God for Who He is, for what He has done, and for what we trust Him to do.  Then cry out to Him, “Lord, help me!”

Just 3 words.  “Lord, help me.”  Try it.

It’s a simple but profound prayer of desperation.  Amid the 2003 flash-flood, I prayed it.  I often still pray it multiple times throughout the day.

Just as we are now, this woman was desperately dependent upon Jesus for deliverance.  She didn’t give in or give up.

“Jesus responded, ‘It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.’” (Matthew 15:26)

Jesus provided this woman every opportunity to walk away.  She had a tormented daughter; she had Jesus ignore her; she had the disciples shoosh her; and then she had Jesus correct her.

Perhaps all the challenges of these past 5 months have caused you to want to give up on your faith and just walk away.  But rather than be offended by Jesus, this woman humbly acquiesced and admitted she wasn’t worthy (being a Gentile and not a Jew).

“She replied, ‘That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.’” (Matthew 15:27)

She dug her heels in, stretched her little “faith” into “great faith”, and demonstrated that even a leftover morsel of Jesus’ healing virtue was ample to heal her daughter.

Jesus marveled at this humble, persistent woman.

“‘Dear woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘your faith is great.  Your request is granted.’  And her daughter was instantly healed.” (Matthew 15:28)

Don’t give in. Don’t give up.  God will heal us.

Perhaps God’s “delay” in ending these pandemics is intended to draw us deeper, to desire Him more, and to develop our faith.

I encourage you to go “Into the Deep” corners of your faith, let it stretch further during these uncertain and challenging times, and let your simple faith develop into what Jesus marvels at, “great faith.”

When my 5 precious family members drowned in the Kansas flash-flood in 2003, my faith was stretched to the core.  Yet, thankfully, I never turned my back on God.  I never gave in.  I never gave up.  God was – and is – faithful.  He delivered me then.  He will deliver us now.

The Lord will heal us.  He will deliver us.  It’s up to us to pray, to seek Him, and to walk by faith.  We must live the Word of God and do the Word, for faith involves our feet.

Heal Our Land. Pray, pray, pray…

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

 

We are experiencing multiple pandemics simultaneously right now: health, economic, cultural, societal, etc.  As a country, we have rejected God – in our laws, in our schools, and in our personal lives.  A country without God can quickly become a nation in chaos.  Perhaps this helps explain part of what we are witnessing nationwide.

Could it be that we are experiencing a divine disruption – in order to bring about a divine reset in the heart our nation?  Distress has a way of bringing us to our knees.

When life gets too much to stand…then kneel.

Let this moment in history serve to draw us closer to God, not drive us further from Him.

When life is this challenging, where do you run?  At times like these, truly, the LORD God is our only answer.

Do you “trust in the LORD”?  (Jeremiah 17:7)

Have you “made the LORD [your] hope and confidence?” (Jeremiah 17:7)

“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (Isaiah 7:9)

Please allow me to encourage you.  Stand strong in your faith.  Choose FAITH over FEAR.  Go “into the deep” in your faith so that you “are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.  [Your] leaves stay green, and [you] never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8)

Fortify your faith through the Word of God and Prayer throughout the day.  Pray when you awake.  Pray when you brush your teeth.  Pray when you drive.  Pray when you prepare to eat.  Pray when you do dishes.  Pray when you get the mail.  Pray before bedtime.  All throughout the day, whisper prayers to God to heal our nation.

Pray, pray, pray.

There is Good News!  God promises in His Holy Word, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Lord, please heal our land.  We have sinned by rejecting You.  We are desperately dependent on YOU.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Fear not.  Only believe.  God will deliver us.  We must each do our part and draw near to Him like never before – as though our lives depended on it…because they do.

I received this encouraging email this month entitled, “How God has used your influence”.

“You came and spoke in Lawrence, Kansas several years ago. …You shared your story with our group… and you graciously took time afterwards to speak…one-on-one…  Your experience was an example of how to cling to God… We still remember and so appreciate the empathy and compassion you showed…. I thought you should know you were a gift toward…healing!” (Lawrence, KS July 2020)

 

Praise the Lord!

Ready for Christmas?

In the days leading up to Christmas, how often do you hear the question, “Are you all ready for Christmas?” The answer is usually something like, “Not even close.” Right?
 
That is fine.
 
If we’re honest, we’re never truly “ready” for Christmas. We’ll never completely check everything off our to-do list.
 
The first Christmas, Joseph and Mary weren’t exactly “ready” either. Imagine how unsettled their lives were – angelic visions, dreams, immaculate conception, a census, traveling, pregnant on a donkey for miles upon miles, no room at the inn, hungry, tired, cold, and a smelly manger for the Son of God…not what you might call “ready” for Jesus’ grand entrance into the world.
 
Yet, despite all the apparent shortfalls, the first Christmas still came. Jesus – Emmanuel – is truly God with you and me.
 
So, be encouraged. Even if everything is not exactly “ready” the way you’d like it to be, Christmas still comes. God is still with us in the person of Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit. After all, Christmas is first and foremost about “Christ.” Everything else is secondary.
 
Much like in the story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, Christmas still came – even without the packages, decorations, and presents. No one can stop Christmas from coming. Praise the Lord!
 
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
 
Don’t miss the essence of Christmas.
 
“…but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:10-11)
 
Blessed Christmas season to you all.
 
-Robert
[KNOW GOD – no regrets]

Hope in God alone

Place your hope in God alone. He promises that, “those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23) Even Abraham, against all odds, “In hope against all hope, he believed.” (Romans 4:18) God is able to transform your paralyzing pain into a glorious gain. Your part simply requires a step of faith.Trusting God means faith in action. Put feet to your faith – and hope in Him – even against all odds.
 
“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.” (Lamentations 3:19-25)
 
After the devastating 2003 Kansas flash-flood which consumed the lives of my 5 family members, I thought I would never emerge from that awful time. Yet, now, 16 years later, God’s mercies are still new every morning. Great is His faithfulness! He has turned my mourning into dancing, and my test into a testimony that others might KNOW HIM deeply.
 
The same God we serve can do it for you, too.
 
Be encouraged. God is able. Ask Him to turn your mess into a miracle.
 
-Robert
[KNOW GOD – no regrets]

In His Presence…

“Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for Him to act. The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37:4-5,7,23) “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
 
So much of our walk with the Lord involves dwelling in His Presence, being still, and waiting patiently. These are difficult assignments in our frantic, techno age. Yet, right now, it is that much more vitally important.
 
Begin each day alone in God’s Presence, in prayer, in His Word, and perhaps even on your knees at the foot of a cross near your closet. Take just 5 or 10 minutes. Resubmit your life under the rule and authority of God – as your King and Lord of everything. You will be amazed at how God works out the details of the rest of your day. It may not be easy, but you will know that God is in control. Take the time to establish Him on the throne of your life every morning.
 
You’ll never regret it.
 
-Robert
[KNOW GOD – no regrets]

Break it up & Go Deeper!

I have found, as a follower of Christ, that I should strive to never become comfortable or complacent with my spiritual status quo.  I should always embody a degree of spiritual “discomfort” – a longing, an unquenchable thirst, and a yearning for more of Jesus…to go deeper in relationship with Him.

 

Throughout this year, my wife and I have strived to KNOW GOD more through deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ.  We have tapered off more and more  inessential media (TV, radio, web, phone, etc.).  We’ve replaced it with more meaningful family time and God-honoring time in prayer and in His Word.  The results have been truly divine.

 

More peace.

More joy.

More Jesus.

 

The more we are consumed with Jesus, the less we desire extraneous technology and media inputs.  We more time we devote to one another and our children, the less and less we feel a need for video, audio, or technological stimuli.  As God grows bigger in our family’s lives, everything else diminishes.

 

No regrets, indeed.

 

We sensed God’s call to “break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD.” (Hosea 10:12)  Also to “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Joel 2:13)

 

Please permit me to challenge you to break up any hard, complacent ground, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…being rooted and established in love…to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:17,19)

 

As Jesus challenged Peter, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.  Simon answered, ‘…because you say so, I will let down the nets.’” (Luke 5:4)  Peter obeyed in faith and was abundantly rewarded.

 

Although Peter failed often, he rarely settled for comfortable or complacent.  He went deeper.  When Jesus called on him to walk on water, He was the only one who experienced a miracle that night. “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29)

 

Be bold in Christ and step out of your boat.  Break up the hard ground.  Go deeper in Him.

Sit Still in God’s Presence…

“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”
(Psalm 62:1-2,5-8)
 
In this hectic “information age” in which we live, being still in God’s presence to “wait quietly” is extremely challenging. Yet, it is vital in our personal walk with the Lord.
 
If you are in the midst of a struggle, a battle, or a storm, I encourage you to do like Mary and “sit at the feet of Jesus” quietly. Turn off all interrupting devices and tune in to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Make it a daily discipline. Guard that time daily. It is as vital to our spirit as food is to our body.
 
You’ll never regret it.
 
-Robert
[KNOW GOD – no regrets]

Deep Waters

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Be encouraged. God is with you – no matter what you are going through. I’ve been through physical, spiritual, and emotional “deep waters” – and I can testify that God never left my side. I allowed Him to use each difficulty as an opportunity to draw me deeper in Him and closer to Him.

Draw nearer to God through Jesus Christ His Son. You’ll never regret it.

-Robert
[KNOW GOD – no regrets]