This morning I opened my Bible to John's Gospel, chapter fourteen. This is one of my favorite chapters in John and one that has been key in my faith journey. As I was reading these familiar verses this morning, I had an interesting thought. Here are the verses - John 14:6-14 NIV:
[6] "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
[8] Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
[9] Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
I was thinking this morning about the Gospel and the beliefs that we have as Christians. Much of what we believe is being challenged these days, and we are being told that our beliefs are old-fashioned, hurtful, judgmental, and even hateful. The fact that we believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father (to Heaven and Eternal Life) is sometimes seen (in today's PC world) as close-minded and negative towards all other religions. So, as I was reading these verses today, my thought was that as a Christian I am primarily holding to the beliefs that Jesus taught, and the question is whether or not I believe Him.
When confronted with His statement in verse 6, our choice is to either believe that statement or not. There is not much room for negotiation in His statement. The fact that Jesus is making this to Jewish people, who believed that the law was sufficient and the way to Eternal life, is even more challenging. The Law basically is equivalent to good works, to following the rules, to being a good person and doing what God commanded, and here is Jesus saying that the only way to the Father was through Him, not through following the Law. So, like the Apostles and disciples, we can either choose to believe this statement or not. It is a key statement in our faith, and really foundational to everything else.
Jesus goes on and effectively states that He and the Father are one. He says, "anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"; "I am in the Father, and the Father is in me"; "it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work". Again, these statements set Jesus apart from everyone else that has ever lived. He is the only one who can say these things, and then back them up with miracles, signs and wonders, as He points to in verse 11. Again, the question is whether or not I want to believe Jesus' statement about Himself.
Either Jesus is the Son of God, sent to make a way for us to enter relationship with the Father and experience Eternal Life or He isn't! He is either the only way to the Father or not! He is either one with the Father or not! As Christians these statements are the center of our belief, and if we don't believe them, no matter how out of favor with popular thought they seem, then we really are not believing Christians. We would be classified as Christians in name only, for we are labeling ourselves Christians, but not believing the very core statements. We have come to associate "Christian" with being a good person, and that is the label some want to hold onto, while jettisoning the beliefs because they are no longer popular and they are being told these beliefs are unloving.
It is not unloving to hold onto our beliefs, for they are the very core of our faith. Believing is focused internally while loving is focused externally. It is unloving to treat people poorly, to criticize them and put them down for holding different beliefs. It is unloving to beat people with the stick of theology, trying to force them to see the error of their beliefs. This was not the model that Jesus demonstrated to us with His life. He demonstrated sacrificial love, mercy and compassion, forgiveness and relationship. He demonstrated the truth of His words through miracles, signs and wonders rather than rhetoric and arguments. He cared for everyone He met, whether or not they believed in Him. He knew that the proof of His words was in His actions, and He was perfectly aligned in both.
I am choosing to believe the words of Jesus, not because I want to be superior to everyone else, not because I want to judge them and condemn them for their unbelief, and not because someone else told me I should believe. Rather, I am choosing to believe His words because I have experienced His love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness. I have seen miracles and awesome things done through the power of the Holy Spirit. I have witnessed and experienced His relational invitation. I am choosing to believe His words, because I know His words are true.
Thus, this morning I am encouraged to continue to believe what Jesus said about Himself. I am also encouraged to follow His example in extending love to all I meet, whether a believer or not. I am encouraged to pattern my life after Jesus' example and treat people with care, love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and the invitation to relationship. I am encouraged to hold onto my beliefs and to pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to provide the evidence of proof in my life and through my life.
Amen!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Faith For Increase
This morning I am reflecting on some verses from the Gospel of Luke 9:1-6, 10-13 NIV:
[1] When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] He told them: “Take nothing for the journey---no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. [4] Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. [5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” [6] So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
[10] When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, [11] but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
[12] Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
[13] He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish---unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.”
I love these verses where we are told that Jesus gives them power and authority and then tells them to go use that power and authority. I believe this is the invitation and expectation for all Christians, for we are all His followers.
I had two reflections while reading these verses this morning. First, my thought was that Jesus' statement to the Apostles in verse 13 was actually an invitation for them to grow in their faith and experience of God's provision and character. The Apostles had just come back from an miracle tour, where they had seen the power of God flow through them to heal all those that needed healing. They had experienced God's provision of health through healing, and now Jesus was inviting them to go to the next logical step, provision of health through food.
It is interesting, I have always read this verse like Jesus was giving them a challenge, but never intended them to actually feed the crowd. This morning though, the thought struck me that this was likely exactly what He was inviting them to do, to step out in belief now that they had seen God do miracles through them, and apply the same principles in a new way. God was the one who provided healing, why wouldn't He also provide food?
Specifically, I think there are those that believe that we are limited only to those things we see Jesus demonstrating in scripture, and then probably never as effectively as Jesus ministered. My problem with this thinking is two-fold - first God is not about diminishing returns, but rather is always about increase. If we only limit ourselves to what is revealed and expect to be less effective than Jesus, that would be diminished returns. Secondly, Jesus Himself told His followers - "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12NIV) That does not sound like diminishing return, but rather increase.
So, my thought this morning was that Jesus was giving them the invitation to step into greater Godly provision, but because they couldn't wrap their minds around the opportunity they didn't. Please note, that Jesus didn't slam them for their lack of faith, but rather stepped in and demonstrated what was possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am encouraged today to try to believe for new ways and new provision, believing that God wants me to grow in my expectation of His provision.
My second reflection was about how Jesus gave them power and authority (verse 1). I was trying to imagine how this would have occurred, wondering what Jesus said or did that convinced them that they had received power and authority? It is clear that they were all convinced, for they went out and effectively ministered, so we know they understood and demonstrated that power and authority. I think we see later in some of the teaching of the early church, the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18, 1 Tim 5:22, 2 Tim 1:6, Heb 6:2) as a likely candidate for what Jesus did here. Also, in John 20:22, He breathed on the disciples and said "Receive the Holy Spirit", again I think they had experienced this previously, when He sent them out. I think they probably felt something, some transfer of power when Jesus laid His hands on them and breathed on them. By this point they would have seen Jesus ministering in power, saw the effects of power flowing out of Jesus, and been instructed by Him in ministry. They were able to recognize the presence of the power of the Holy Spirit, and because of that were able to recognize when Jesus gave them power and authority.
My point in this reflection is that we need to learn to recognize this in our lives as well. The Lord, if His words in John 14:12 are true, intends for us to minister in power and authority, doing even greater things. We are only capable through the Power of the Holy Spirit working through us. Jesus didn't give them some diploma saying they had completed the 6 week course in ministering healing and deliverance, He gave them real power and authority. In the same way as He did then, He gives us power and authority to minister effectively, except now the laying on of hands is done through others, His representatives, just as was demonstrated in the early church (see the references above). We must learn to recognize His impartation, and believe that this power and authority was given with a purpose that includes ministries of healing and deliverance. The purpose of His impartation is the increase of the Kingdom of God! Let us be encouraged today that if He has poured out His power and authority into our lives, then He intends for us to step out and minister His provision to others, whether it be healing, deliverance or sustenance.
Amen Lord! Give us faith to see increase in our own effectiveness and in our experience of Your provision and glory!
[1] When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] He told them: “Take nothing for the journey---no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. [4] Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. [5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” [6] So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
[10] When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, [11] but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
[12] Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
[13] He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish---unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.”
I love these verses where we are told that Jesus gives them power and authority and then tells them to go use that power and authority. I believe this is the invitation and expectation for all Christians, for we are all His followers.
I had two reflections while reading these verses this morning. First, my thought was that Jesus' statement to the Apostles in verse 13 was actually an invitation for them to grow in their faith and experience of God's provision and character. The Apostles had just come back from an miracle tour, where they had seen the power of God flow through them to heal all those that needed healing. They had experienced God's provision of health through healing, and now Jesus was inviting them to go to the next logical step, provision of health through food.
It is interesting, I have always read this verse like Jesus was giving them a challenge, but never intended them to actually feed the crowd. This morning though, the thought struck me that this was likely exactly what He was inviting them to do, to step out in belief now that they had seen God do miracles through them, and apply the same principles in a new way. God was the one who provided healing, why wouldn't He also provide food?
Specifically, I think there are those that believe that we are limited only to those things we see Jesus demonstrating in scripture, and then probably never as effectively as Jesus ministered. My problem with this thinking is two-fold - first God is not about diminishing returns, but rather is always about increase. If we only limit ourselves to what is revealed and expect to be less effective than Jesus, that would be diminished returns. Secondly, Jesus Himself told His followers - "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12NIV) That does not sound like diminishing return, but rather increase.
So, my thought this morning was that Jesus was giving them the invitation to step into greater Godly provision, but because they couldn't wrap their minds around the opportunity they didn't. Please note, that Jesus didn't slam them for their lack of faith, but rather stepped in and demonstrated what was possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am encouraged today to try to believe for new ways and new provision, believing that God wants me to grow in my expectation of His provision.
My second reflection was about how Jesus gave them power and authority (verse 1). I was trying to imagine how this would have occurred, wondering what Jesus said or did that convinced them that they had received power and authority? It is clear that they were all convinced, for they went out and effectively ministered, so we know they understood and demonstrated that power and authority. I think we see later in some of the teaching of the early church, the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18, 1 Tim 5:22, 2 Tim 1:6, Heb 6:2) as a likely candidate for what Jesus did here. Also, in John 20:22, He breathed on the disciples and said "Receive the Holy Spirit", again I think they had experienced this previously, when He sent them out. I think they probably felt something, some transfer of power when Jesus laid His hands on them and breathed on them. By this point they would have seen Jesus ministering in power, saw the effects of power flowing out of Jesus, and been instructed by Him in ministry. They were able to recognize the presence of the power of the Holy Spirit, and because of that were able to recognize when Jesus gave them power and authority.
My point in this reflection is that we need to learn to recognize this in our lives as well. The Lord, if His words in John 14:12 are true, intends for us to minister in power and authority, doing even greater things. We are only capable through the Power of the Holy Spirit working through us. Jesus didn't give them some diploma saying they had completed the 6 week course in ministering healing and deliverance, He gave them real power and authority. In the same way as He did then, He gives us power and authority to minister effectively, except now the laying on of hands is done through others, His representatives, just as was demonstrated in the early church (see the references above). We must learn to recognize His impartation, and believe that this power and authority was given with a purpose that includes ministries of healing and deliverance. The purpose of His impartation is the increase of the Kingdom of God! Let us be encouraged today that if He has poured out His power and authority into our lives, then He intends for us to step out and minister His provision to others, whether it be healing, deliverance or sustenance.
Amen Lord! Give us faith to see increase in our own effectiveness and in our experience of Your provision and glory!
Friday, May 27, 2016
Born of the Spirit
This morning I am meditating on some classic verses from John's Gospel, where Jesus is conversing with Nicodemus. Here are the verses - John 3:5-17 NIV:
[5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
[9] “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
[10] “You are Israel's teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? [11] Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. [12] I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? [13] No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven---the Son of Man. [14] Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
I like reading passages like these within the context of the greater conversation. So often we just hear the verses pulled out of their context, and they can take on a different meaning when this happens. In this case, I am looking at Jesus' comments about being born-again of the Spirit. Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus says, so Jesus responds to him. He says in verse 12 that He has "spoken of earthly things (including being born again of the Spirit) and you do not believe".
I find that statement very interesting for Jesus appears to place being born-again of the Spirit into the bucket of earthly things, not heavenly things. It is not that this doesn't make sense, it is just the phrasing of His statement. As a teacher of Israel, Nicodemus must have understood that there was a spiritual component to all our lives, for the Old Testament is full of verses talking about the Spirit of God coming upon people. I am quickly reminded of the story of Saul chasing David, coming upon a group of prophets and suddenly coming under the power of the Spirit of God and beginning to prophecy himself (see 1 Sam 19:23-24). So, it is apparent that it is not a matter of knowledge, but rather of belief. Belief engages our spirits, not our minds, and our spirits within us must be engaged for us to experience salvation and eternal life.
As people who are raised with a western mindset, we tend to discount the things of the spirit as being non-existent. We tend to focus on logic and learning, not valuing spiritual experience. This was not true of the Jews at that time, and is not true of many of the nations of the earth today. There is a growing emphasis on the spiritual realm and experiences in our nation, but it seems driven primarily by new-age and other "spiritual" movements. Those Christian churches that are open to Spiritual experiences are often viewed with caution and sometimes outward disdain by other churches and denominations. Yet if we look at Jesus' statement, it is the Spirit that gives birth to spirit, and the Spirit that allows us to enter into the Kingdom of God. It is the Spirit working within us that leads us to belief, leads us to salvation and eternal life! It is clear to me that we need to learn to understand the Spirit of God, interacting with our spirits, for that is the way of salvation. These are earthly things, according to Jesus, and thus, should be things we can understand and believe in.
Just last evening my good friend David and I were talking about our inability to be aware of that which is occurring in the spiritual realm. We were talking about how we were unaware of much that actually concerns us. I am encouraged by Jesus' words this morning that this does not need to be so, but that this is part of our earthly experience and something we should be able to learn, understand and believe in. In so doing we would become more effective representatives of the Holy Spirit who is about birthing salvation and eternal life in those He calls.
Last night we were talking about how the Holy Spirit directed Phillip to meet with the Ethiopian eunuch on the desert road leading to Gaza (See Acts 8:26-40). His encounter with the eunuch was perfectly timed, and salvation was birthed in the Ethiopian because Phillip understood the movings of the Holy Spirit in his life. Oh that we would learn to walk in the ways of the Holy Spirit with the same effectiveness!
I am encouraged that this whole realm of learning and experience is available to me and part of my earthly experience, according to Jesus. Thus, I must be able to learn to operate and believe in this realm. I am encouraged because I know on my own I am incapable, but with the Spirit of God working in me, all things are possible. Lord, I pray that You would open my eyes to the working of the Spirit, in and around me. Help me to have spiritual eyes, and awareness. Teach me to join myself to the movements of Your Holy Spirit, for I desire to see things birthed of the Spirit!
[5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
[9] “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
[10] “You are Israel's teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? [11] Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. [12] I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? [13] No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven---the Son of Man. [14] Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
I like reading passages like these within the context of the greater conversation. So often we just hear the verses pulled out of their context, and they can take on a different meaning when this happens. In this case, I am looking at Jesus' comments about being born-again of the Spirit. Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus says, so Jesus responds to him. He says in verse 12 that He has "spoken of earthly things (including being born again of the Spirit) and you do not believe".
I find that statement very interesting for Jesus appears to place being born-again of the Spirit into the bucket of earthly things, not heavenly things. It is not that this doesn't make sense, it is just the phrasing of His statement. As a teacher of Israel, Nicodemus must have understood that there was a spiritual component to all our lives, for the Old Testament is full of verses talking about the Spirit of God coming upon people. I am quickly reminded of the story of Saul chasing David, coming upon a group of prophets and suddenly coming under the power of the Spirit of God and beginning to prophecy himself (see 1 Sam 19:23-24). So, it is apparent that it is not a matter of knowledge, but rather of belief. Belief engages our spirits, not our minds, and our spirits within us must be engaged for us to experience salvation and eternal life.
As people who are raised with a western mindset, we tend to discount the things of the spirit as being non-existent. We tend to focus on logic and learning, not valuing spiritual experience. This was not true of the Jews at that time, and is not true of many of the nations of the earth today. There is a growing emphasis on the spiritual realm and experiences in our nation, but it seems driven primarily by new-age and other "spiritual" movements. Those Christian churches that are open to Spiritual experiences are often viewed with caution and sometimes outward disdain by other churches and denominations. Yet if we look at Jesus' statement, it is the Spirit that gives birth to spirit, and the Spirit that allows us to enter into the Kingdom of God. It is the Spirit working within us that leads us to belief, leads us to salvation and eternal life! It is clear to me that we need to learn to understand the Spirit of God, interacting with our spirits, for that is the way of salvation. These are earthly things, according to Jesus, and thus, should be things we can understand and believe in.
Just last evening my good friend David and I were talking about our inability to be aware of that which is occurring in the spiritual realm. We were talking about how we were unaware of much that actually concerns us. I am encouraged by Jesus' words this morning that this does not need to be so, but that this is part of our earthly experience and something we should be able to learn, understand and believe in. In so doing we would become more effective representatives of the Holy Spirit who is about birthing salvation and eternal life in those He calls.
Last night we were talking about how the Holy Spirit directed Phillip to meet with the Ethiopian eunuch on the desert road leading to Gaza (See Acts 8:26-40). His encounter with the eunuch was perfectly timed, and salvation was birthed in the Ethiopian because Phillip understood the movings of the Holy Spirit in his life. Oh that we would learn to walk in the ways of the Holy Spirit with the same effectiveness!
I am encouraged that this whole realm of learning and experience is available to me and part of my earthly experience, according to Jesus. Thus, I must be able to learn to operate and believe in this realm. I am encouraged because I know on my own I am incapable, but with the Spirit of God working in me, all things are possible. Lord, I pray that You would open my eyes to the working of the Spirit, in and around me. Help me to have spiritual eyes, and awareness. Teach me to join myself to the movements of Your Holy Spirit, for I desire to see things birthed of the Spirit!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
A Kingdom of Priests Excercising the King's Authority
This morning I have been looking at some verses from the Book of Revelation 5:8-10 NIV:
[8] "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. [9] And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
I was specifically reflecting on the last line of this heavenly song. In this song, the 24 elders and 4 living creatures are singing about the Church, those who belong to the Body of Christ. The original Greek is quite clear, we are made into a Kingdom of God and we use that Kingdom authority on earth.
The original Greek word here translated Kingdom is Basileia and it is defined as:
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
A) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
B) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
C) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom
2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
As directly related the original Greek word here translated as reign is Basileuo and it is defined as:
1) to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign
A) of the governor of a province
B) of the rule of the Messiah
C) of the reign of Christians in the millennium
2) metaph. to exercise the highest influence, to control
It is interesting that some commentators want to relate this verse to the Millennial reign, which does not actually get referenced until later in the book of Revelations (Rev. 20). When I read these verses I am immediately reminded of the charge Jesus gave to the 12 Apostles and later to the 72 that He sent out. Here I have quoted the sending as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 10:1, 7-8 NIV:
[1] Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
[7] "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
In these verses we see Jesus making the Apostles his messengers of His Kingdom, and giving them authority to demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom. In other words He tells them to proclaim God's kingdom and then sends them to exercise His Kingly authority as His representatives in the cities, towns and villages to which they were sent. In my eyes, this is exactly what John records. God had called us through His Son Jesus to be members of His Kingdom and then to exercise His Kingly Authority upon the earth.
We are all called with the same charge, according to these verses. People from every tribe, language, people and nation are all called to be part of God's Kingdom and to exercise His Kingly Authority as His representatives. This authority is not relegated to a select few ministers, for we are all called priests, and it is each of our responsibility to minister unto Him, to serve Him. We are not called to church membership with a few ministers, we are called to the Kingdom of God, where we are all priests and we all reign (exercise the King's authority).
I am encouraged that the 24 elders and 4 living creatures, who John sees prophetically, are describing the heavenly perspective which is outside of time. In other words they are seeing the completed work of the Body of Christ, and from that vantage point, people from every tribe, language, people and nation are ministering to God, and exercising Kingdom authority upon the earth. This is not some small number of chosen ministers, but every single member of the Kingdom! I am encouraged because even though we don't see this reality yet, we will see this reality in the fullness of time. I am encouraged because this is my destiny too, to learn to exercise the King's authority here on earth.
Amen and Amen!
[8] "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. [9] And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
I was specifically reflecting on the last line of this heavenly song. In this song, the 24 elders and 4 living creatures are singing about the Church, those who belong to the Body of Christ. The original Greek is quite clear, we are made into a Kingdom of God and we use that Kingdom authority on earth.
The original Greek word here translated Kingdom is Basileia and it is defined as:
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
A) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
B) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
C) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom
2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
As directly related the original Greek word here translated as reign is Basileuo and it is defined as:
1) to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign
A) of the governor of a province
B) of the rule of the Messiah
C) of the reign of Christians in the millennium
2) metaph. to exercise the highest influence, to control
It is interesting that some commentators want to relate this verse to the Millennial reign, which does not actually get referenced until later in the book of Revelations (Rev. 20). When I read these verses I am immediately reminded of the charge Jesus gave to the 12 Apostles and later to the 72 that He sent out. Here I have quoted the sending as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 10:1, 7-8 NIV:
[1] Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
[7] "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
In these verses we see Jesus making the Apostles his messengers of His Kingdom, and giving them authority to demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom. In other words He tells them to proclaim God's kingdom and then sends them to exercise His Kingly authority as His representatives in the cities, towns and villages to which they were sent. In my eyes, this is exactly what John records. God had called us through His Son Jesus to be members of His Kingdom and then to exercise His Kingly Authority upon the earth.
We are all called with the same charge, according to these verses. People from every tribe, language, people and nation are all called to be part of God's Kingdom and to exercise His Kingly Authority as His representatives. This authority is not relegated to a select few ministers, for we are all called priests, and it is each of our responsibility to minister unto Him, to serve Him. We are not called to church membership with a few ministers, we are called to the Kingdom of God, where we are all priests and we all reign (exercise the King's authority).
I am encouraged that the 24 elders and 4 living creatures, who John sees prophetically, are describing the heavenly perspective which is outside of time. In other words they are seeing the completed work of the Body of Christ, and from that vantage point, people from every tribe, language, people and nation are ministering to God, and exercising Kingdom authority upon the earth. This is not some small number of chosen ministers, but every single member of the Kingdom! I am encouraged because even though we don't see this reality yet, we will see this reality in the fullness of time. I am encouraged because this is my destiny too, to learn to exercise the King's authority here on earth.
Amen and Amen!
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Fire on the Earth
This morning I am thinking about some challenging verses from the Gospel of Luke 12:49-53 NIV:
[49] “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! [50] But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! [51] Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. [52] From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
These are some of the verses that we would prefer were not in the Bible, for they challenge our desire for comfort and peace. I certainly don't like thinking about division in my family over matters of faith, and certainly don't like thinking about being disliked for my beliefs, yet we appear to be entering a time where this is already reality.
When Jesus spoke these words, He knew the impact His life and words would have on the Jewish people, and exactly what He said occurred. The early church underwent many persecutions, and families were divided by this new "Way" and people were forced to choose to deny Christ or be sentenced to death. There are many stories of early church martyrs who refused to recant their faith, in spite of the pleading of their family members. While we don't presently see this type of persecution in America, it is alive and well in many countries around the world. Yet, even though we don't see life-threatening persecution, we certainly see the culture of our country becoming more anti-Christian. We are being labeled as bigots, racists, judgmental and ignorant for holding beliefs that are contrary to popular opinion.
The question that I find myself confronted with is how should I, as a follower of Christ, respond to the the de-Christianization of our culture. One popular approach is to water-down the message of the Gospel to take away everything that offends those who look for offense. The problem with this approach is that those who look for offense will not stop being offended, for the very basic truths of the Gospel offend them. Another approach is to become more judgmental in my response to those who lack any understanding of the truth. I can take the approach that everyone who doesn't believe like I believe is going to hell.
Neither of these approaches seem to be congruent with the Gospel that Jesus preached and lived. His example was consistent and involved both His words and His deeds. His command was to love one another, not judge one another. His example was sacrificial love. His sacrifice was His flesh and blood. He brought fire to the earth, but it was the fire of the Holy Spirit, enkindled in the lives of His followers. He released upon the world His Kingdom, demonstrated through signs, wonders and miracles. The fire was one of passion for Him and for the church, His Body. The fire of the Holy Spirit brought about conviction to the unbeliever and they were cut to the heart, and brought to a place of repentance (see Acts 2:37-41).
Jesus came to bring this fire to the earth, and we must not let it go out by dousing it with the water of political correctness and unbelief. We must continue to hold to the truth that He revealed, and follow His example of sacrificial love. We must welcome sinners and unbelievers for we were all once such people, and it is only the grace of the Gospel that we have accepted that sets us apart. We are not better than others because of our belief, we are made righteous only by Jesus' sacrifice. We must continue to share the Gospel of the Kingdom. We must love one another and be empowered by the fire of the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to work through us to bring conviction and repentance, not through our judgmental words, but though lives lived in love.
When the martyrs were put to death for their beliefs, it was not their proclamation of impending judgment on their tormentors that impressed people and won converts, but rather it was their peaceful welcoming of the reward of eternal life. It was their love for one another, their witness of God's love and forgiveness that caused others to see the truth. In Acts 7:60 Stephen, the first martyr, asked that God would forgive those who stoned him, even as He was about to die. His cry wasn't for judgment but for forgiveness and mercy.
This morning I am encouraged to not be afraid of persecution or division, as it relates to following Jesus. I am encouraged to live my life following the example of Jesus, loving sacrificially, extending mercy and forgiveness. I am encouraged because Jesus kindled a fire upon the earth, and it is still burning today in my heart. I am encouraged because Jesus in no longer constrained by His earthly body, but is now seated in Heaven (Col 3:1) interceding for me (Heb 7:25), and living within me (John 14:23). I am encouraged because the Holy Spirit will guide me in what I should say (Mark 13:11), and will teach me all things (John 14:26).
Lord, I pray that the Fire of Your Love will burn brightly within me, and that Your Fire will continue to burn in Your Church and upon the earth!
[49] “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! [50] But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! [51] Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. [52] From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
These are some of the verses that we would prefer were not in the Bible, for they challenge our desire for comfort and peace. I certainly don't like thinking about division in my family over matters of faith, and certainly don't like thinking about being disliked for my beliefs, yet we appear to be entering a time where this is already reality.
When Jesus spoke these words, He knew the impact His life and words would have on the Jewish people, and exactly what He said occurred. The early church underwent many persecutions, and families were divided by this new "Way" and people were forced to choose to deny Christ or be sentenced to death. There are many stories of early church martyrs who refused to recant their faith, in spite of the pleading of their family members. While we don't presently see this type of persecution in America, it is alive and well in many countries around the world. Yet, even though we don't see life-threatening persecution, we certainly see the culture of our country becoming more anti-Christian. We are being labeled as bigots, racists, judgmental and ignorant for holding beliefs that are contrary to popular opinion.
The question that I find myself confronted with is how should I, as a follower of Christ, respond to the the de-Christianization of our culture. One popular approach is to water-down the message of the Gospel to take away everything that offends those who look for offense. The problem with this approach is that those who look for offense will not stop being offended, for the very basic truths of the Gospel offend them. Another approach is to become more judgmental in my response to those who lack any understanding of the truth. I can take the approach that everyone who doesn't believe like I believe is going to hell.
Neither of these approaches seem to be congruent with the Gospel that Jesus preached and lived. His example was consistent and involved both His words and His deeds. His command was to love one another, not judge one another. His example was sacrificial love. His sacrifice was His flesh and blood. He brought fire to the earth, but it was the fire of the Holy Spirit, enkindled in the lives of His followers. He released upon the world His Kingdom, demonstrated through signs, wonders and miracles. The fire was one of passion for Him and for the church, His Body. The fire of the Holy Spirit brought about conviction to the unbeliever and they were cut to the heart, and brought to a place of repentance (see Acts 2:37-41).
Jesus came to bring this fire to the earth, and we must not let it go out by dousing it with the water of political correctness and unbelief. We must continue to hold to the truth that He revealed, and follow His example of sacrificial love. We must welcome sinners and unbelievers for we were all once such people, and it is only the grace of the Gospel that we have accepted that sets us apart. We are not better than others because of our belief, we are made righteous only by Jesus' sacrifice. We must continue to share the Gospel of the Kingdom. We must love one another and be empowered by the fire of the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to work through us to bring conviction and repentance, not through our judgmental words, but though lives lived in love.
When the martyrs were put to death for their beliefs, it was not their proclamation of impending judgment on their tormentors that impressed people and won converts, but rather it was their peaceful welcoming of the reward of eternal life. It was their love for one another, their witness of God's love and forgiveness that caused others to see the truth. In Acts 7:60 Stephen, the first martyr, asked that God would forgive those who stoned him, even as He was about to die. His cry wasn't for judgment but for forgiveness and mercy.
This morning I am encouraged to not be afraid of persecution or division, as it relates to following Jesus. I am encouraged to live my life following the example of Jesus, loving sacrificially, extending mercy and forgiveness. I am encouraged because Jesus kindled a fire upon the earth, and it is still burning today in my heart. I am encouraged because Jesus in no longer constrained by His earthly body, but is now seated in Heaven (Col 3:1) interceding for me (Heb 7:25), and living within me (John 14:23). I am encouraged because the Holy Spirit will guide me in what I should say (Mark 13:11), and will teach me all things (John 14:26).
Lord, I pray that the Fire of Your Love will burn brightly within me, and that Your Fire will continue to burn in Your Church and upon the earth!
Sunday, May 22, 2016
The Provision of God - A Better Plan
Recently I have been thinking about the provision of the Lord. This morning I am thinking about the following verses from the Gospel of Luke 9:12-17 NIV:
[12] "Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
[13] He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish---unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” [14] (About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
[15] The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. [16] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. [17] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."
I was thinking about the miraculous provision of the Lord. He is capable of providing for His people. He did so in the desert with manna and uail, and He did here in the story, and the other times he fed the crowds by multiplying the food. I was wondering why we don't experience this more often? Why do we see churches struggle financially when God can provide and demonstrated that ability over and over in scripture.
I find it interesting that in the desert He provided manna and quail (See Exodus 16), but ultimately He provided them the promised land full of milk and honey, a land that was very fruitful. It was the job of the people to occupy the land, drive out those that were there, and then plant and harvest, once thy entered the promised land. The manna and quail were not God's long term solution, but His better plan was blessing them through their stewardship of the land, and following God's law. He promised them the following in Deuteronomy 28:8-11 NIV:
[8] "The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you."
[9] "The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. [10] Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. [11] The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity---in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground---in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you."
In a similar way, although Jesus multiplied the food a few times, He did not do it every time, as only 2-3 times are recorded in scripture. It is not that God can't provide food or provide provision, it is that He has a better plan. In one section in John, Jesus confronts this subject directly. Jesus saw that many were following Him because he had provided them bread - John 6:26 NIV: "Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill."
Jesus continues on from that statement and shifts from natural hunger to God's better plan which includes spiritual realities - John 6:27-35 NIV:
[27] "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
[28] Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
[29] Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
[30] So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? [31] Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' ”
[32] Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
[34] “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
[35] Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Thus, the sign of multiplication of food, the provision of manna and quail in the Old Testament, are actually pointing us to the spiritual reality of God's better plan - the provision of Jesus! He is our provision, He is all we need. God is our provider, and all good things come from Him, but the best He has given us is Jesus! Just yesterday I saw a quote saying "Jesus + nothing = Everything you need!" (Patricia King)
We who are so worldly, so self-focused, would gladly settle for provision of purely material things. Yet He has given us Himself in relationship, giving us eternal life! He has a better plan than just providing material needs, He plans to make us residents of the Kingdom of God, both here now on earth and in Heaven! Our work is to believe and live accordingly. In the Old Testament, the people who entered the promised land had to believe in God's promise, work the land and obey the law to be blessed. In the new covenant we are to believe, obey Jesus' commands and enter into relationship with Him to be blessed with Eternal Life.
John 14:23 NIV: "Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."
-and-
John 6:47 NIV: "Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life."
Amen! Paul said in his letter to the Romans 8:32 NIV: "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" God has given us His greatest and best in Christ Jesus. Because Jesus came and made a way, He has invited us into relationship with Him, as His sons and daughters, to experience eternal life!
[12] "Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
[13] He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish---unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” [14] (About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
[15] The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. [16] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. [17] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."
I was thinking about the miraculous provision of the Lord. He is capable of providing for His people. He did so in the desert with manna and uail, and He did here in the story, and the other times he fed the crowds by multiplying the food. I was wondering why we don't experience this more often? Why do we see churches struggle financially when God can provide and demonstrated that ability over and over in scripture.
I find it interesting that in the desert He provided manna and quail (See Exodus 16), but ultimately He provided them the promised land full of milk and honey, a land that was very fruitful. It was the job of the people to occupy the land, drive out those that were there, and then plant and harvest, once thy entered the promised land. The manna and quail were not God's long term solution, but His better plan was blessing them through their stewardship of the land, and following God's law. He promised them the following in Deuteronomy 28:8-11 NIV:
[8] "The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you."
[9] "The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. [10] Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you. [11] The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity---in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground---in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you."
In a similar way, although Jesus multiplied the food a few times, He did not do it every time, as only 2-3 times are recorded in scripture. It is not that God can't provide food or provide provision, it is that He has a better plan. In one section in John, Jesus confronts this subject directly. Jesus saw that many were following Him because he had provided them bread - John 6:26 NIV: "Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill."
Jesus continues on from that statement and shifts from natural hunger to God's better plan which includes spiritual realities - John 6:27-35 NIV:
[27] "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
[28] Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
[29] Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
[30] So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? [31] Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' ”
[32] Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. [33] For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
[34] “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
[35] Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Thus, the sign of multiplication of food, the provision of manna and quail in the Old Testament, are actually pointing us to the spiritual reality of God's better plan - the provision of Jesus! He is our provision, He is all we need. God is our provider, and all good things come from Him, but the best He has given us is Jesus! Just yesterday I saw a quote saying "Jesus + nothing = Everything you need!" (Patricia King)
We who are so worldly, so self-focused, would gladly settle for provision of purely material things. Yet He has given us Himself in relationship, giving us eternal life! He has a better plan than just providing material needs, He plans to make us residents of the Kingdom of God, both here now on earth and in Heaven! Our work is to believe and live accordingly. In the Old Testament, the people who entered the promised land had to believe in God's promise, work the land and obey the law to be blessed. In the new covenant we are to believe, obey Jesus' commands and enter into relationship with Him to be blessed with Eternal Life.
John 14:23 NIV: "Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."
-and-
John 6:47 NIV: "Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life."
Amen! Paul said in his letter to the Romans 8:32 NIV: "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" God has given us His greatest and best in Christ Jesus. Because Jesus came and made a way, He has invited us into relationship with Him, as His sons and daughters, to experience eternal life!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
God of the Impossible
This morning I am reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles the story of Peter's miraculous escape from Prison. Here is the story - Acts 12:5-17 NIV:
[5] "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
[6] The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. [7] Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
[8] Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. [9] Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. [10] They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
[11] Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
[12] When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. [13] Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. [14] When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
[15] “You're out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
[16] But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. [17] Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place."
I find this story interesting for several reasons. First, it is an amazing story of God's ability to do miraculous workings in our lives. This is like a scene out of the Xmen movie, an angel appears in a locked room, time seems to stand still and people are frozen in time, metal chains open up and fall off, doors open of their own accord! It is easy to imagine, but our logical minds tend to disbelieve events like this because we have been taught these things don't really happen in real life.
Second, I like the fact that the members of the church, who were praying for Peter to be saved, don't actually believe its him knocking at the door. Sometimes we can put on these super-faith airs, and act like we believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God can and will do something. Intellectually it is easy to say and think things, but when confronted with something even more spectacular than they were praying, the people praying respond with unbelief. This just seems so real and normal to me, it certainly gives an impression of being honest and unaffected by legend. We like to think we will believe, but when God does something astounding we usually greet the announcement with doubt, or as the people said when responding to Rhoda, "you're out of your mind".
Finally God is not worried about lack of faith on the people's part, He is about doing what He needs to do and has the power to do it.
So this morning I am encouraged for people who find themselves in impossible situations. God is completely aware of the situation. He has the power to do it. He hears the prayers of those praying. He is faithful!
[5] "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
[6] The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. [7] Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
[8] Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. [9] Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. [10] They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
[11] Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
[12] When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. [13] Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. [14] When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
[15] “You're out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
[16] But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. [17] Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place."
I find this story interesting for several reasons. First, it is an amazing story of God's ability to do miraculous workings in our lives. This is like a scene out of the Xmen movie, an angel appears in a locked room, time seems to stand still and people are frozen in time, metal chains open up and fall off, doors open of their own accord! It is easy to imagine, but our logical minds tend to disbelieve events like this because we have been taught these things don't really happen in real life.
Second, I like the fact that the members of the church, who were praying for Peter to be saved, don't actually believe its him knocking at the door. Sometimes we can put on these super-faith airs, and act like we believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God can and will do something. Intellectually it is easy to say and think things, but when confronted with something even more spectacular than they were praying, the people praying respond with unbelief. This just seems so real and normal to me, it certainly gives an impression of being honest and unaffected by legend. We like to think we will believe, but when God does something astounding we usually greet the announcement with doubt, or as the people said when responding to Rhoda, "you're out of your mind".
Finally God is not worried about lack of faith on the people's part, He is about doing what He needs to do and has the power to do it.
So this morning I am encouraged for people who find themselves in impossible situations. God is completely aware of the situation. He has the power to do it. He hears the prayers of those praying. He is faithful!
Lord, thank You for moving in spite of our fears, doubts, unbelief and stupidness. We pray that You will increase our faith! We pray that You will intervene in the lives of people in desperate and impossible situations! We pray that You will glorify Your Name through miraculous events and actions. You truly are the God of the impossible!
Amen!
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Church - Obligation or Encounter?
This morning I am thinking about a set of verses from Mark's Gospel. Lord, open my ears and my heart to understand Your heart in this.
Mark 11:15-17 NIV:
[15] "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [17] And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' ”
My first inclination in reading these verses is to think that Jesus was against all of the business that was being done in the temple courts. On second thought though, I realized that the money changers and sellers of doves were enabling the fulfillment of the requirements of the law, for doves were used as sacrifices for sin offerings, and such (Lev 5-15 assorted verses). The Jews were coming from many different countries, and money changers were required to convert foreign currency to that which was used in Jerusalem, so they could purchase sacrificial animals as prescribed in the law. So the question is what was Jesus really upset about?
So if we look at the verse Jesus referenced for His robbers comment, we get a better sense of His point of focus. This is found in Jer 7:11, and I will include the surrounding verses - Jeremiah 7:2-11 NIV:
[2] “Stand at the gate of the Lord's house and there proclaim this message:
“ 'Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. [3] This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. [4] Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” [5] If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, [6] if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, [7] then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever.
[8] But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. [9] “ 'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, [10] and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”---safe to do all these detestable things? [11] Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord."
As I read these verses, it seems clear to me that the Lord is addressing the hearts and minds of the people. They are not really repentant, their hearts are not changed, they are not encountering God's presence when they come to the Temple. Instead they are using the visit to the temple to erase their guilt, but with no plans to change their behavior saying "we are safe, safe to do all these detestable things". The focus of their visit is not to meet God, not to worship Him, but rather to whitewash their sins.
The Lord is after a heart-changed people who are in relationship with Him and who are changed to become like Him. The people Jeremiah was addressing were not interested in God's law and its affects on their lives, but were rather interested in checking off a box so they could continue to do whatever they wanted. One wonders how many of us go to church on Sunday's for similar reasons? Do we go to church to encounter God, or do we go to church to do our church-going duty? Do we go to church on Sunday and then live the rest of the week exactly how we want to, not worried about anything?
So back to the original story, Jesus first quotes from Isaiah 56:7 about the temple being a house of prayer for all nations. The purpose of the temple courts was for the common people (Non-priest) to be able to come close to God, to worship Him and encounter Him. It was supposed to be a place dedicated to prayer and worship, and here it was a thriving hub of commerce for sacrificial requirements. I get the sense that the people in the temple were largely following the same pattern of behavior that was being addressed in Jeremiah. The Lord is after our hearts, not our attendance, not our following the rules, not our Sunday hour obligation! He desires us to focus on Him, to meet Him, to worship Him, and to be changed. He is after repentance (changed lives) and relationship.
So this morning I am encouraged to look at my heart and see what my true motivation, my true expectation is concerning church. Am I going to meet an obligation, or am I going to encounter God?
Mark 11:15-17 NIV:
[15] "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [17] And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' ”
My first inclination in reading these verses is to think that Jesus was against all of the business that was being done in the temple courts. On second thought though, I realized that the money changers and sellers of doves were enabling the fulfillment of the requirements of the law, for doves were used as sacrifices for sin offerings, and such (Lev 5-15 assorted verses). The Jews were coming from many different countries, and money changers were required to convert foreign currency to that which was used in Jerusalem, so they could purchase sacrificial animals as prescribed in the law. So the question is what was Jesus really upset about?
So if we look at the verse Jesus referenced for His robbers comment, we get a better sense of His point of focus. This is found in Jer 7:11, and I will include the surrounding verses - Jeremiah 7:2-11 NIV:
[2] “Stand at the gate of the Lord's house and there proclaim this message:
“ 'Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. [3] This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. [4] Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” [5] If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, [6] if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, [7] then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever.
[8] But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. [9] “ 'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, [10] and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”---safe to do all these detestable things? [11] Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord."
As I read these verses, it seems clear to me that the Lord is addressing the hearts and minds of the people. They are not really repentant, their hearts are not changed, they are not encountering God's presence when they come to the Temple. Instead they are using the visit to the temple to erase their guilt, but with no plans to change their behavior saying "we are safe, safe to do all these detestable things". The focus of their visit is not to meet God, not to worship Him, but rather to whitewash their sins.
The Lord is after a heart-changed people who are in relationship with Him and who are changed to become like Him. The people Jeremiah was addressing were not interested in God's law and its affects on their lives, but were rather interested in checking off a box so they could continue to do whatever they wanted. One wonders how many of us go to church on Sunday's for similar reasons? Do we go to church to encounter God, or do we go to church to do our church-going duty? Do we go to church on Sunday and then live the rest of the week exactly how we want to, not worried about anything?
So back to the original story, Jesus first quotes from Isaiah 56:7 about the temple being a house of prayer for all nations. The purpose of the temple courts was for the common people (Non-priest) to be able to come close to God, to worship Him and encounter Him. It was supposed to be a place dedicated to prayer and worship, and here it was a thriving hub of commerce for sacrificial requirements. I get the sense that the people in the temple were largely following the same pattern of behavior that was being addressed in Jeremiah. The Lord is after our hearts, not our attendance, not our following the rules, not our Sunday hour obligation! He desires us to focus on Him, to meet Him, to worship Him, and to be changed. He is after repentance (changed lives) and relationship.
So this morning I am encouraged to look at my heart and see what my true motivation, my true expectation is concerning church. Am I going to meet an obligation, or am I going to encounter God?
Friday, May 6, 2016
Being Good Soil
This morning I was reflecting on how much the Lord has poured into my life during my times in prayer. I had the opportunity to read some of my third book, which is taken from my blog in 2014. As I was reading my entries, at times it was as if I was reading the writings of another author. I was thinking about how much the Lord has poured into me, and how little I have retained. I was feeling a bit depressed about that fact this morning, asking the Lord to help me remember more of what He has said to me and shown me. When I opened my Bible this is the very first verse I read:
John 14:26 NIV:
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
I was so encouraged that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to teach me and remind me of what the Lord has said! It was as if a load of responsibility was lifted from shoulders. :-)
As I am thinking back through several scriptures having to do with famers, seed and soil, it seems that my main responsibility towards fruitfulness is to be good soil, wherein the seed (God's word) can flourish and bear fruit. In Matt 13:1-9 God is clearly the sower of the seed (word) and we are the soil. Paul sees his role as planting seed too as he describes in the following verses - 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NIV:
[6] "I planted the seed (God's word in the Corinthians), Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. [7] So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
Thus, it is God who plants (often times through others like Paul) His word in our lives, and He makes it grow. He reminds us and teaches us, directs us and guides us, and our primary responsibility is to be good soil.
So the next obvious question is how do I become good soil? If I go back to the parable of the sower and seed I believe the Lord gives us a good description, especially if we look at the characteristics of the other soil and know that good soil is not like that. Here is what Jesus said about the good soil - Matthew 13:23 NIV: "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The primary qualities that distinguish good soil is hearing and understanding. This requires the ability to pay attention, it is not just hearing but hearing and understanding. To hear we must attune our ears to God's voice. We must learn to listen to Him, to take time to hear His voice. Sometimes my sweetheart and I have what I call roving conversations. We are walking about the house trying to talk to each other but we are constantly moving in and out of rooms, doing things that cause us to not be able to hear one another, and thus we struggle to communicate. We are much more successful at communicating if are in the same room paying attention to one another. I think in our many of our daily lives, our ability to communicate with the Lord, to hear Him is much the same - we try to have roving conversations with God. We are constantly moving from one thing to another, and we have a hard time hearing Him in the midst of all the activity and business that we are about. That is why I take quiet time every morning that I can, as this allows me to stop and listen and actually hear what the Lord is saying.
The understanding part of being good soil, actually requires a good teacher and a willing student. If the teacher is not proficient the student will have difficulty understanding what is being taught. If the student doesn't care and doesn't listen, it does not matter how proficient the teacher is, the student will not understand. So in this case, my job is to be engaged in what I am being taught, listening actively, interested and paying attention, basically being willing. It is the Holy Spirit who is my teacher, and He is extremely proficient and knows me intimately, so He understands exactly how I best learn and He knows what my level of willingness is at present.
So this morning I am encouraged. The Holy Spirit is my teacher and He will remind me of everything the Lord has spoken to me and He will guide me towards understanding. My job is to be willing, to hear and to apply myself to understanding. If I can do that I am being good soil, and God will cause His seed planted in me to grow and be fruitful! Amen!
John 14:26 NIV:
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
I was so encouraged that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to teach me and remind me of what the Lord has said! It was as if a load of responsibility was lifted from shoulders. :-)
As I am thinking back through several scriptures having to do with famers, seed and soil, it seems that my main responsibility towards fruitfulness is to be good soil, wherein the seed (God's word) can flourish and bear fruit. In Matt 13:1-9 God is clearly the sower of the seed (word) and we are the soil. Paul sees his role as planting seed too as he describes in the following verses - 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NIV:
[6] "I planted the seed (God's word in the Corinthians), Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. [7] So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
Thus, it is God who plants (often times through others like Paul) His word in our lives, and He makes it grow. He reminds us and teaches us, directs us and guides us, and our primary responsibility is to be good soil.
So the next obvious question is how do I become good soil? If I go back to the parable of the sower and seed I believe the Lord gives us a good description, especially if we look at the characteristics of the other soil and know that good soil is not like that. Here is what Jesus said about the good soil - Matthew 13:23 NIV: "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The primary qualities that distinguish good soil is hearing and understanding. This requires the ability to pay attention, it is not just hearing but hearing and understanding. To hear we must attune our ears to God's voice. We must learn to listen to Him, to take time to hear His voice. Sometimes my sweetheart and I have what I call roving conversations. We are walking about the house trying to talk to each other but we are constantly moving in and out of rooms, doing things that cause us to not be able to hear one another, and thus we struggle to communicate. We are much more successful at communicating if are in the same room paying attention to one another. I think in our many of our daily lives, our ability to communicate with the Lord, to hear Him is much the same - we try to have roving conversations with God. We are constantly moving from one thing to another, and we have a hard time hearing Him in the midst of all the activity and business that we are about. That is why I take quiet time every morning that I can, as this allows me to stop and listen and actually hear what the Lord is saying.
The understanding part of being good soil, actually requires a good teacher and a willing student. If the teacher is not proficient the student will have difficulty understanding what is being taught. If the student doesn't care and doesn't listen, it does not matter how proficient the teacher is, the student will not understand. So in this case, my job is to be engaged in what I am being taught, listening actively, interested and paying attention, basically being willing. It is the Holy Spirit who is my teacher, and He is extremely proficient and knows me intimately, so He understands exactly how I best learn and He knows what my level of willingness is at present.
So this morning I am encouraged. The Holy Spirit is my teacher and He will remind me of everything the Lord has spoken to me and He will guide me towards understanding. My job is to be willing, to hear and to apply myself to understanding. If I can do that I am being good soil, and God will cause His seed planted in me to grow and be fruitful! Amen!
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
He Loves Us and Is Well Pleased
This morning I felt like I should read from Matthew's Gospel, chapter 17. This chapter has several interesting stories, but this morning my eyes and heart landed on the Transfiguration of Jesus. Here are the verses - Matthew 17:1-5 NIV:
[1] "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. [2] There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. [3] Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
[4] Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters---one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
[5] While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
I really like the beginning of verse 5, where the Father interrupts Peter. Sometimes I don't know when to shut up, and apparently Peter suffered the same affliction. :-)
The other thought I had was how much the Father wanted them to know about His love for Jesus. He shows up in a bright cloud and just barges right into the conversation! I imagine it like a dinner party where Jesus is standing there talking to Elijah and Moses, Peter is trying desperately to get included in their conversation by saying stupid things and in barges the Father in a dazzling cloud, and just starts shouting about how much He loves His son. It wasn't for show, it was just because He was overcome with emotion and love! He was bursting with pride and love, wanting everyone to know how much He loves Jesus, how proud He is (well pleased) of Him!
The best part of this meditation is that God feels the exact same way about you and me! He loves us! He is pleased with us! He chose us to represent Him! God has the exact same emotion and love for us. Jesus was constantly telling us how much the Father loves us. His most famous statement is found in John's Gospel - John 3:16-17 NIV "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Additionally Jesus tells us later in John 14:21, 23 NIV:
[21] "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
[23] Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."
The Father is unchanging in His love, and when He loves us, He loves us like He loves everyone else. He has loved us since before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4) and has never changed in His love for us. He loves us, is proud of us, and wants us, and everyone else, to know that.
Lord, I pray that You will help me to recognize this is true! Help me to rest in Your love!
Amen!
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Proclaiming Justice, A Different Twist
I was just reading from Matthew's Gospel and as struck by something that I need to think more about - namely how healing and miracles are part of the God's justice. Here are the verses - Matthew 12:15-21 NIV:
[15] "Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. [16] He warned them not to tell others about him. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
[18] “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
[19] He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
[20] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
[21] In his name the nations will put their hope.”
It is interesting that Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven, then demonstrating the Kingdom realities through healing and miracles, and Isaiah prophetically spoke about this calling it "proclaiming justice". I need to dig into the original Greek and Hebrew words that are translated as justice here, but just looking at our English definition for the word provides some insight. Justice is defined by Webster's Dictionary as the following:
1 a : the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments
b : judge
c : the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity
2 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair
So if we think about the healing of all illnesses, for that is the context in which these verses from Isaiah are quoted, then the proclamation of justice must be related to the healing of illnesses. If we go back to the beginning to the story of Adam and Eve, it is through their sin, their disobedience that stewardship of the the creation on earth was lost. As a part of this, nature was corrupted, and sin entered the world, affecting all creation. Sickness and disease are a part of that corruption, for prior to their sin all was "very good" in the Garden.
Part of justice is establishing the rules of law, and Jesus was proclaiming the laws of the Kingdom, the dominion of the King, which includes the establishment of His laws. Apparently all illness and sickness is outlawed in the Kingdom of God, and Jesus is proclaiming that and demonstrating the authority to cast out illness and sickness in the Kingdom. Jesus is practicing justice by establishing the right rule of the Kingdom.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray that way in Matthew 6:9-10 NIV:
[9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
He taught them to pray for God's Kingdom, the dominion of the King, to be established on earth as it is already established in Heaven. In other words, if it works that way in Heaven, then let it work that way here on earth. God's Kingdom is true and that truth is established and demonstrated in Heaven, and thus it should be on earth as well.
Furthermore, Jesus specifically tied the Kingdom proclamation and demonstration of healing together in His charge to the Apostles found in Matthew 10:5-8 NIV:
[5] "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. [6] Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. [7] As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
Proclaim then demonstrate! Proclaim justice (the Kingdom of God being re-established) and demonstrate justice by restoring health and wholeness, casting out sickness and disease, demons and death all of which are not allowed in God's Kingdom. Think about that - all of that is not allowed in the Kingdom, yet we allow it freely in the church. Why? Because we have apparently lost our sense of what the Kingdom of God is like, we have given into the spirit of unbelief, and we have allowed injustice to remain. Oh Lord, forgive us for settling for less than what You came to establish, what You have purchased for us with Your precious blood! Lord, teach us and help us to walk in Your dominion, and proclaim it with our lives, and through the power of the Holy Spirit working through us, in obedience to Your Commands - the law of the King.
[15] "Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. [16] He warned them not to tell others about him. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
[18] “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
[19] He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
[20] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
[21] In his name the nations will put their hope.”
It is interesting that Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven, then demonstrating the Kingdom realities through healing and miracles, and Isaiah prophetically spoke about this calling it "proclaiming justice". I need to dig into the original Greek and Hebrew words that are translated as justice here, but just looking at our English definition for the word provides some insight. Justice is defined by Webster's Dictionary as the following:
1 a : the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments
b : judge
c : the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity
2 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair
So if we think about the healing of all illnesses, for that is the context in which these verses from Isaiah are quoted, then the proclamation of justice must be related to the healing of illnesses. If we go back to the beginning to the story of Adam and Eve, it is through their sin, their disobedience that stewardship of the the creation on earth was lost. As a part of this, nature was corrupted, and sin entered the world, affecting all creation. Sickness and disease are a part of that corruption, for prior to their sin all was "very good" in the Garden.
Part of justice is establishing the rules of law, and Jesus was proclaiming the laws of the Kingdom, the dominion of the King, which includes the establishment of His laws. Apparently all illness and sickness is outlawed in the Kingdom of God, and Jesus is proclaiming that and demonstrating the authority to cast out illness and sickness in the Kingdom. Jesus is practicing justice by establishing the right rule of the Kingdom.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray that way in Matthew 6:9-10 NIV:
[9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
He taught them to pray for God's Kingdom, the dominion of the King, to be established on earth as it is already established in Heaven. In other words, if it works that way in Heaven, then let it work that way here on earth. God's Kingdom is true and that truth is established and demonstrated in Heaven, and thus it should be on earth as well.
Furthermore, Jesus specifically tied the Kingdom proclamation and demonstration of healing together in His charge to the Apostles found in Matthew 10:5-8 NIV:
[5] "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. [6] Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. [7] As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
Proclaim then demonstrate! Proclaim justice (the Kingdom of God being re-established) and demonstrate justice by restoring health and wholeness, casting out sickness and disease, demons and death all of which are not allowed in God's Kingdom. Think about that - all of that is not allowed in the Kingdom, yet we allow it freely in the church. Why? Because we have apparently lost our sense of what the Kingdom of God is like, we have given into the spirit of unbelief, and we have allowed injustice to remain. Oh Lord, forgive us for settling for less than what You came to establish, what You have purchased for us with Your precious blood! Lord, teach us and help us to walk in Your dominion, and proclaim it with our lives, and through the power of the Holy Spirit working through us, in obedience to Your Commands - the law of the King.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
The NFL Draft and Our Selection
Yesterday morning we were talking about the NFL Draft and I realized that there is a bit of an analogy there to be applied to our lives, concerning our selection by the Lord. I heard some guys on the radio describe the NFL draft as a giant roll of the dice for the teams making selections. They evaluate the prospective players on their abilities, character, past performance, and potential. They then look at their existing team, where they have needs, and figure out what player is the best match for their need. The issue is that all of the things that they consider (ability, character, etc,) are not always a good indication of future performance. There have been many cases where highly touted individuals have never really benefitted the team that chose them.
Secondly in the draft, there is much discussion about the order in which they are drafted. It reminds me a bit of choosing teams on the playground, two team captains would choose from a pile of kids gathered around, and the kids who were chosen last were seen as less desirable. In the NFL draft there are always participants who are not selected, and that must be really difficult, even as it was on the children chosen last on the playground.
So what does this have to do with our faith, and relationship with the Lord? Paul clearly describes how God has chosen us in His letter to the Ephesians 1:3-6 NIV:
[1] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."
We were chosen by God before the creation of the world. That is possible because the Lord exists outside of time, and He sees the beginning and the end and everything in between. So when God looks at us He sees our whole life. David said it well in Psalm 139:16: ..."all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." There is no mystery to God about what we will do, about every thought, word or action we will ever have, say or do. He sees our complete life, and still He has chosen us! In other words when He looked at all of mankind, all who ever lived, looked at His own family, He saw you and me and decided that He wanted us to be a part of His family. He has no doubts, because He has already seen our complete life and thought we were exactly the right person to choose! His choosing us can never be described as a roll of the dice, because He already has seen everything we do, who we become and our total character expressed throughout our life, so His selection of us, His choosing us is 100% accurate and sure. Let that sink in for a bit - the most intelligent, all powerful, all knowing, eternally aware individual looked at the complete record of your life and said, 'Yes, I pick you to be my daughter!', 'Yes, I pick you to be my son!'
Secondly, we are not His last pick. Although we have been born later in the history of the world, His choice of us occurred before the creation of the world. We are all the same exact level of relationship to Him, we are all His sons and daughters. We are all co-heirs with Christ Jesus, we all have the same relationship. God does have organizational and ministry order for the Body of Christ, but that is not to be considered related to our relative importance to Him. He loves each of us with the same passion, the same desire. We don't all have the same role, but that does not reduce our importance. In fact Paul wrote in his 1st letter to the church in Corinth 12:22-24, "On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,.." In other words, if we think we are weak or not important we actually are indispensable and highly honored!
So today, I am reminded that the Lord chose me, and had no doubt in doing so, for He knew that I would be exactly the individual He thought I would be! He chose me, He predestined me for adoption as His son! The same is true for each of you. His words, spoken over Jesus are as true about me and you as they are about anyone in history - “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” or "This is my daughter, whom I have chosen, listen to her." Luke 9:35NIV.
Amen!
Secondly in the draft, there is much discussion about the order in which they are drafted. It reminds me a bit of choosing teams on the playground, two team captains would choose from a pile of kids gathered around, and the kids who were chosen last were seen as less desirable. In the NFL draft there are always participants who are not selected, and that must be really difficult, even as it was on the children chosen last on the playground.
So what does this have to do with our faith, and relationship with the Lord? Paul clearly describes how God has chosen us in His letter to the Ephesians 1:3-6 NIV:
[1] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."
We were chosen by God before the creation of the world. That is possible because the Lord exists outside of time, and He sees the beginning and the end and everything in between. So when God looks at us He sees our whole life. David said it well in Psalm 139:16: ..."all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." There is no mystery to God about what we will do, about every thought, word or action we will ever have, say or do. He sees our complete life, and still He has chosen us! In other words when He looked at all of mankind, all who ever lived, looked at His own family, He saw you and me and decided that He wanted us to be a part of His family. He has no doubts, because He has already seen our complete life and thought we were exactly the right person to choose! His choosing us can never be described as a roll of the dice, because He already has seen everything we do, who we become and our total character expressed throughout our life, so His selection of us, His choosing us is 100% accurate and sure. Let that sink in for a bit - the most intelligent, all powerful, all knowing, eternally aware individual looked at the complete record of your life and said, 'Yes, I pick you to be my daughter!', 'Yes, I pick you to be my son!'
Secondly, we are not His last pick. Although we have been born later in the history of the world, His choice of us occurred before the creation of the world. We are all the same exact level of relationship to Him, we are all His sons and daughters. We are all co-heirs with Christ Jesus, we all have the same relationship. God does have organizational and ministry order for the Body of Christ, but that is not to be considered related to our relative importance to Him. He loves each of us with the same passion, the same desire. We don't all have the same role, but that does not reduce our importance. In fact Paul wrote in his 1st letter to the church in Corinth 12:22-24, "On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,.." In other words, if we think we are weak or not important we actually are indispensable and highly honored!
So today, I am reminded that the Lord chose me, and had no doubt in doing so, for He knew that I would be exactly the individual He thought I would be! He chose me, He predestined me for adoption as His son! The same is true for each of you. His words, spoken over Jesus are as true about me and you as they are about anyone in history - “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” or "This is my daughter, whom I have chosen, listen to her." Luke 9:35NIV.
Amen!
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