Thursday, June 30, 2016
The Battle is Real, But God is Winning
This morning I felt like reading from Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV:
[10] "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
As I was reading these familiar verses today I was reminded of the fact that our real battle is against the evil one, and his schemes and plans. It is interesting how confused we are about our real foe, and how seldom we as a church seem to be able to defeat his strategies and plans at present, at least here in America. We are letting the enemy have a field day with us, winning victories in many areas where we should be strong, seeing ourselves being labeled and maligned and not having the ability to stand our ground. The good news is that is not the case world-wide, and in many places the church is rapidly expanding and growing stronger and Lord is clearly winning.
As I read these verses this morning, I was reminded of the fact that first and foremost we must rely on the Lord and His strength and power. We aren't fighting a battle on a battlefield that we naturally understand or can see. We are fighting a spiritual battle, and we need His power and strength, His armor to protect us. If we look at the basics of His armor, it based on the Truth (His Word), His righteousness applied into our lives, the Gospel of peace (His Kingdom real and present), faith in Him, salvation from Him, and the sword of the Spirit, which is His word, the word of God. All of this comes from Him, and is applied into our lives. We are participants in dressing ourselves in this armor, but it all comes from Him. We must understand that unless we are in relationship with Him, we have no armor, and no ability to stand.
If we are fighting a spiritual battle but have no spiritual armor or weapons, our battle will be brief and defeat is assured. Make no mistake the enemy understands that each of us is important, and just like in any battle if you defeat all of the soldiers individually, then victory is assured. We must, each of us, learn to apply the armor of God to our own lives, and learn to encourage others in the application of their armor. We must encourage each other in daily relationship with the Lord, in the understanding of the spiritual realities, and mostly in the reliance on the Lord's strength and power. One person fighting alone is easily overcome from behind, but two individuals fighting back to back can withstand a sizable force. How much more could a small group of individuals working in unison, fighting together and protecting one another be successful in battle!
The enemy has worked hard to try to separate us from one another through disagreement and division. He has tried to paint our efforts and our faith as weak and powerless. He has tried to color us as stupid, and bigoted, angry and judgmental. If we look around (in the western church) we see the strength of the church weakening, and our message becoming marginalized.
When I look at this situation, it seems to me that we are looking at the wrong indicators and are being convinced of our defeat or weakness, because we are looking at our own strength and abilities. The truth is that God is fully in charge, has all power, strength and authority and He hasn't weakened one bit. He has already won the victory, already defeated the enemy and we should be looking at Him and His power and strength, not our weakness and inability. God's armor is sufficient to allow us to stand our ground against all of the enemies schemes and tactics. His strength and power are far superior to our enemies' and if we step into His strength and power and join ourselves to Him and one another, we will also be superior to the enemy.
When Paul wrote this letter the enemy was hard at work attacking the church with division, heresy, persecution and confusion. He was throwing everything he had at the church, and Paul and the apostles continued to expand the church and see more and more people join its ranks. The enemy had the government on his side, had tons of people from other religions and faiths all trying to destroy the church and in the midst of all of that the church was winning. Make no mistake the church continues to grow around the world and as an example China is on pace to become the nation with the most Christians by 2030 ( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10776023/China-on-course-to-become-worlds-most-Christian-nation-within-15-years.html), and the church is rapidly expanding in places like Mozambique, Brazil, and Mexico. In fact the number of Christians worldwide has quadrupled in the last 100 years ( http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/) and is spreading rapidly to areas that historically had few Christians.
It is also interesting to note that in Europe and America the church is losing members, and in reading these verses from Paul today, I believe part of the reason was that the church, feeling herself strong, grew lax in maintaining her vigilance for the schemes and attacks of the enemy. We allowed the enemy to infiltrate the media and our education systems and start to turn people's hearts and thoughts away from the Truth. We should have been aware of his tactics and schemes, but we were apparently asleep or unconcerned. We have turned our hearts and minds to our own ideas, desires, and programs and lost our reliance on the Lord's power and strength. Lord help us to return to You!
So this morning, I am encouraged to learn to be strong in the Lord and in His power! I am encouraged to learn to put on His armor. I am encouraged to learn to stand my ground and recognize the schemes and tactics of the enemy. I am encouraged to trust in the Lord and in His ability, not in mine! I am encouraged to find like-minded brothers and sisters in the Lord who can encourage me and stand in battle with me. I am encouraged that the Lord has already defeated the enemy and not only is He winning, He already won!
Amen!
Monday, June 27, 2016
Remaining In His Love
This morning I ran across these verses as I was researching another topic - John 15:9-17 NIV:
[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
[10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love.
[11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
[12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
[14] You are my friends if you do what I command.
[15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
[16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit---fruit that will last---and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
[17] This is my command: Love each other."
It really helps me to breakdown a paragraph into individual sentences, for my tendency is to read right on through without allowing the words to really register in my mind and more importantly, in my heart.
The verse that grabbed my attention this morning is verse 16. What an incredible thought, that we didn't choose Him, rather that He chose us. He saw us in our sinfulness, our depraved condition and chose us! Wow! He was able to look beyond our limitations, weaknesses and sins and see who we could be in Him. Not only did He choose us, but He appointed us to go and bear fruit. He not only saw past our limitations, but also saw our potential, recognizing our ability to bear fruit, through Him.
This gives me great encouragement, as I wait and wonder about what the Lord will release me to do. I know that He has a plan and it is good, and my job is to remain in Him and keep His commands.
His commands are quite simple to say - love each other as He has loved us - more difficult to live out. It is in keeping His commands that we remain in His love. So, our ability to love each other directly affects our ability to remain in His love. It is not that He removes His love from us, but we remove ourselves from His love. In verse nine the word remain can also be translated abide. This is the verb related to abode, or home or residence. It is our choice where we live, what we surround ourselves with daily. Do we love? Do we love those around us? Do we love others the way Jesus loves them? Do we lay down our lives for our friends? If we choose to love, we will find ourselves remaining in His love as well! If we do this, we are His friends and He will make known to us what He learned from the Father.
So today I am encouraged to love as He loved. I am encouraged to look at those around me with His eyes, loving them in spite of their weaknesses, limitations and sinfulness. I am encouraged to love, because He first loved me. I am encouraged to remain in His love.
Amen!
[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
[10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love.
[11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
[12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
[14] You are my friends if you do what I command.
[15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
[16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit---fruit that will last---and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
[17] This is my command: Love each other."
It really helps me to breakdown a paragraph into individual sentences, for my tendency is to read right on through without allowing the words to really register in my mind and more importantly, in my heart.
The verse that grabbed my attention this morning is verse 16. What an incredible thought, that we didn't choose Him, rather that He chose us. He saw us in our sinfulness, our depraved condition and chose us! Wow! He was able to look beyond our limitations, weaknesses and sins and see who we could be in Him. Not only did He choose us, but He appointed us to go and bear fruit. He not only saw past our limitations, but also saw our potential, recognizing our ability to bear fruit, through Him.
This gives me great encouragement, as I wait and wonder about what the Lord will release me to do. I know that He has a plan and it is good, and my job is to remain in Him and keep His commands.
His commands are quite simple to say - love each other as He has loved us - more difficult to live out. It is in keeping His commands that we remain in His love. So, our ability to love each other directly affects our ability to remain in His love. It is not that He removes His love from us, but we remove ourselves from His love. In verse nine the word remain can also be translated abide. This is the verb related to abode, or home or residence. It is our choice where we live, what we surround ourselves with daily. Do we love? Do we love those around us? Do we love others the way Jesus loves them? Do we lay down our lives for our friends? If we choose to love, we will find ourselves remaining in His love as well! If we do this, we are His friends and He will make known to us what He learned from the Father.
So today I am encouraged to love as He loved. I am encouraged to look at those around me with His eyes, loving them in spite of their weaknesses, limitations and sinfulness. I am encouraged to love, because He first loved me. I am encouraged to remain in His love.
Amen!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
The Kingdom Established With Power
This evening I am thinking about this verse found in Mark's Gospel - Mark 9:1 NIV: "And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
It is interesting that this verse stands in its own in this chapter of Mark's Gospel. The chapter continues with the Transfiguration, the healing of the young boy, Jesus predicting His death, the battle that was raging in the popular mind concerning Christ, and finally a warning about sin. For me, this verse stands out and points directly at the day of Pentecost, when power was released upon the gathering of believers.
Jesus had sent out the apostles and later the 72 with the message of the coming Kingdom of God, and with the authority to demonstrate this new Kingdom through the working of miracles, healing, deliverance and such. This was apparently the precursor to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, and thus the birthing of the Kingdom of God on the earth. The power of the Holy Spirit was the crowning sign, the evidence that this was truly the Kingdom of God.
The evidence of the effectiveness of the power of the Holy Spirit in establishing the Kingdom is seen in the signs and fruit born immediately after the outpouring.
We see this described in detail in Acts 2:1-4, 14-19, 37, 41 NIV:
[1] "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
[14] "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] “ 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke."
[37] "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
[41] "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
Thus after the Holy Spirit was poured out the church immediately experienced a massive burst of growth. Peoples lives were transformed and the church was firmly established. The church continued to see rapid expansion, and the working of many miracles, which again was the evidence presented that proved the Kingdom of God was real.
Here are some verses following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Kingdom;
Acts 2:42-43 NIV:
[42] "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles."
Acts 3:6-10 NIV:
[6] "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
Acts 4:4 NIV:
"But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand."
Acts 4:31, 33 NIV
[31] "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."
[33] "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all"
Acts 5:12-16 NIV
[12] "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. [13] No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. [14] Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. [15] As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. [16] Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed."
Acts 5:17-20 NIV:
[17] "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. [18] They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. [20] “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
I have included just some of the verses, but it is quite evident that the Kingdom of God was in full demonstration through signs and wonders, shaking of houses, winds from heaven, massive healings, miraculous escapes from jail, all proving that the Kingdom of God was present in power. The Kingdom message devoid of power is just mere words, and Jesus had told his followers to go to Jerusalem and await the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, knowing that mere words would not be enough to birth the Kingdom. Luke recorded Jesus message as follows, Acts 1:4-8 NIV:
[4] "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
[6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
[7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The power of Holy Spirit released into the Apostles lives, and lives of the followers, caused a massive growth in the church. Jesus specifically told them to await the outpouring, for it was with the outpouring that they would receive power. This is what Jesus was referring to when He prophesied about the coming of the Kingdom with power in Mark 9:1.
So this evening I am encouraged to hold onto Jesus' promise that we would be filled with power, and this power would be proof that the Kingdom of God was established and expanding. I am encouraged to press into the Lord, waiting for the gift of power when the Holy Spirit comes on me and fills me again. Come Holy Spirit and fill Your church.
Amen!
It is interesting that this verse stands in its own in this chapter of Mark's Gospel. The chapter continues with the Transfiguration, the healing of the young boy, Jesus predicting His death, the battle that was raging in the popular mind concerning Christ, and finally a warning about sin. For me, this verse stands out and points directly at the day of Pentecost, when power was released upon the gathering of believers.
Jesus had sent out the apostles and later the 72 with the message of the coming Kingdom of God, and with the authority to demonstrate this new Kingdom through the working of miracles, healing, deliverance and such. This was apparently the precursor to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, and thus the birthing of the Kingdom of God on the earth. The power of the Holy Spirit was the crowning sign, the evidence that this was truly the Kingdom of God.
The evidence of the effectiveness of the power of the Holy Spirit in establishing the Kingdom is seen in the signs and fruit born immediately after the outpouring.
We see this described in detail in Acts 2:1-4, 14-19, 37, 41 NIV:
[1] "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
[14] "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] “ 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke."
[37] "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
[41] "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
Thus after the Holy Spirit was poured out the church immediately experienced a massive burst of growth. Peoples lives were transformed and the church was firmly established. The church continued to see rapid expansion, and the working of many miracles, which again was the evidence presented that proved the Kingdom of God was real.
Here are some verses following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Kingdom;
Acts 2:42-43 NIV:
[42] "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles."
Acts 3:6-10 NIV:
[6] "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
Acts 4:4 NIV:
"But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand."
Acts 4:31, 33 NIV
[31] "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."
[33] "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all"
Acts 5:12-16 NIV
[12] "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. [13] No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. [14] Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. [15] As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. [16] Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed."
Acts 5:17-20 NIV:
[17] "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. [18] They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. [20] “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
I have included just some of the verses, but it is quite evident that the Kingdom of God was in full demonstration through signs and wonders, shaking of houses, winds from heaven, massive healings, miraculous escapes from jail, all proving that the Kingdom of God was present in power. The Kingdom message devoid of power is just mere words, and Jesus had told his followers to go to Jerusalem and await the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, knowing that mere words would not be enough to birth the Kingdom. Luke recorded Jesus message as follows, Acts 1:4-8 NIV:
[4] "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
[6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
[7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The power of Holy Spirit released into the Apostles lives, and lives of the followers, caused a massive growth in the church. Jesus specifically told them to await the outpouring, for it was with the outpouring that they would receive power. This is what Jesus was referring to when He prophesied about the coming of the Kingdom with power in Mark 9:1.
So this evening I am encouraged to hold onto Jesus' promise that we would be filled with power, and this power would be proof that the Kingdom of God was established and expanding. I am encouraged to press into the Lord, waiting for the gift of power when the Holy Spirit comes on me and fills me again. Come Holy Spirit and fill Your church.
Amen!
Monday, June 20, 2016
Our Father In Heaven - What He is Really Like!
Yesterday being Father's Day, I was thinking about the fact that one of the primary reasons Jesus came to earth was to reveal the Father to us. His desire, and obviously the Father's desire is that we come to know Him and understand Him more. As I have written before, Jesus said that everything He said and did was at the Father's direction. In Hebrews 1:3 it says that Jesus is the "exact representation of His being". Jesus said in John 14:9 that "anyone who has seen me has seen the Father". In Luke 10:22 Jesus says, "...no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Clearly Jesus is our best representation and window into who the Father is, and what the Father is like.
With this in mind, I was reminded of the story that Jesus told in Luke 15 of the wayward son. Specifically I was reminded of the character of the Father in the story, for Jesus is clearly pointing towards His Father in heaven when telling this story. Here is the story in its entirety, as it is too good to paraphrase - Luke 15:11-32 NIV:
[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
[12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
[13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
[17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' [20] So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
[22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
[25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. [27] 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
[28] “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. [29] But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
[31] “ 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. [32] But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' ”
I love this story because I think it so effectively communicates the Father's heart towards all of us, even those that have effectively turned their backs on God for whatever reason. The Father never stopped loving His wayward child, and never stopped looking for His son to return to Him. As soon as the Father saw the son, He ran to Him and embraced Him and called for his robe, ring and shoes all symbolic of restoring his identity.
In the same way, the Father loves us, regardless of our life choices, and is always waiting for us to return to Him. His love for us makes no logical sense. His love for us does not include a time of punishment for our misdeeds but rather He is all about restoring our identity when we return! It does not matter what we have done, where we have found ourselves sleeping, how long we have been away, He is always waiting and watching for our return.
The enemy and the world would try to convince us that our sin, our turning our back on God, has in some way disqualified us to be in relationship with Him, has caused us to lose our place or chance to be one of His children. I believe that is precisely why Jesus told this story, He wanted us to understand the Father's heart toward all of us. Jesus wanted to reveal the Father's heart for the lost, the confused, the deceived, those who have turned their backs on Him, those that have denied Him, and those that act like there is no God. He isn't waiting to punish, but rather is waiting with open arms ready to welcome us back. That is what the Father is like!
So today, the day after we celebrated Father's day, I am so grateful for the Father in Heaven and His endless mercy, compassion and grace. I am so grateful that Jesus came to reveal the Father to us, that we might understand and see what an awesome Father He truly is. I am encouraged to learn from Jesus and Our Father and offer the same fatherly heart towards my children. I am encouraged to have the same heart as the Father towards all of those that do not know Him, those who are lost, those who have walked away, those who have run after fulfillment in life through every other means, and those who are mistaken about His character.
Father, Thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Son Jesus!
Amen and Amen!
With this in mind, I was reminded of the story that Jesus told in Luke 15 of the wayward son. Specifically I was reminded of the character of the Father in the story, for Jesus is clearly pointing towards His Father in heaven when telling this story. Here is the story in its entirety, as it is too good to paraphrase - Luke 15:11-32 NIV:
[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
[12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
[13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
[17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' [20] So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
[22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
[25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. [27] 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
[28] “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. [29] But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
[31] “ 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. [32] But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' ”
I love this story because I think it so effectively communicates the Father's heart towards all of us, even those that have effectively turned their backs on God for whatever reason. The Father never stopped loving His wayward child, and never stopped looking for His son to return to Him. As soon as the Father saw the son, He ran to Him and embraced Him and called for his robe, ring and shoes all symbolic of restoring his identity.
In the same way, the Father loves us, regardless of our life choices, and is always waiting for us to return to Him. His love for us makes no logical sense. His love for us does not include a time of punishment for our misdeeds but rather He is all about restoring our identity when we return! It does not matter what we have done, where we have found ourselves sleeping, how long we have been away, He is always waiting and watching for our return.
The enemy and the world would try to convince us that our sin, our turning our back on God, has in some way disqualified us to be in relationship with Him, has caused us to lose our place or chance to be one of His children. I believe that is precisely why Jesus told this story, He wanted us to understand the Father's heart toward all of us. Jesus wanted to reveal the Father's heart for the lost, the confused, the deceived, those who have turned their backs on Him, those that have denied Him, and those that act like there is no God. He isn't waiting to punish, but rather is waiting with open arms ready to welcome us back. That is what the Father is like!
So today, the day after we celebrated Father's day, I am so grateful for the Father in Heaven and His endless mercy, compassion and grace. I am so grateful that Jesus came to reveal the Father to us, that we might understand and see what an awesome Father He truly is. I am encouraged to learn from Jesus and Our Father and offer the same fatherly heart towards my children. I am encouraged to have the same heart as the Father towards all of those that do not know Him, those who are lost, those who have walked away, those who have run after fulfillment in life through every other means, and those who are mistaken about His character.
Father, Thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Son Jesus!
Amen and Amen!
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Of Jesus and Marriage
So I felt like turning to Matthew, chapter 19 this morning and saw these verses. I believe they are applicable to me during this week of my 30th anniversary.
Matthew 19:3-12 NIV:
[3] "Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
[4] “Haven't you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' [5] and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? [6] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
[7] “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
[8] Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. [9] I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
[10] The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
[11] Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. [12] For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others---and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
So apparently marriage has been a hot topic of conversation since Jesus was on earth. I find it interesting that the Pharisees were wanting to test Jesus, so they asked him about marriage and divorce. This tells me that that of all the things they could have tested him on, the topic of marriage was controversial enough then to be a cause of major disagreement, and it still is. I don't think it is so much that the topic or idea is difficult to understand, but rather we find it difficult to live out.
Jesus teaches us that divorce was allowed by Moses (Deut 24:1) as He was directed by God, and is the result of hard hearts, and I don't think that is far off. In relationships that don't end well, we often see one or both of the individuals developing hard hearts towards the other. This is often the result of pain, emotionally or physically, disappointment, rejection, bitterness or other cause. I find the response of Jesus' disciples to His comments interesting - if that is the case, "it is better not to marry"! They clearly understood the amount of work it requires to stay married, and were alarmed at Jesus' comments.
Jesus finishes his comments with an interesting statement - "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given... The one who can accept this should accept it.”
I mean, imagine if Jesus was here today and someone asked him about marriage, divorce and such, and His reply was basically this - "yeah it is hard, but if you are called and can accept it, than do so!" His response seems so unspiritual, yet very real.
The unification of two people, two becoming one flesh is how it is described in Genesis and again here by Jesus, is not some romantic notion, or wonderful thing that happens when you fall in love. Rather it is the result of hard work, of dying to oneself, of serving the other, of choosing over and over to make it work. There are wonderful times, and grace sufficient to see oneness through, but as Jesus seems to indicate, it is at times hard.
I am actually encouraged by Jesus words for He says that 'those to whom the word has been given can accept it'. The Greek word for accept is the word choreo, and it means 'one who can make room for something', as a primary definition, but it also means 'one who can move forward and take possession and succeed'. In other words, if you have been called to marriage, than that means that you are capable of succeeding in marriage. The church would call this sacramental grace, grace received or accepted in the experience of the sacrament. Said another way, if God has called you to marriage, than He is going to give you the strength and grace necessary to succeed at it! Praise God!
In summary, I think it is fair to say that Jesus recognizes the difficult call that marriage is in our lives. His command in marriage is really no different than His command to all, 'Love God, and love one another as He loves us'. This is meant to be the foundation of all deep relationships, love that puts each other first, love that is sacrificial, love that is serving, and love that unites. Love is so much more than emotion and feeling, it is commitment and hard work, but absolutely worth it. Most importantly, God knows how difficult it can be, but has provided the grace (help) sufficient to see us through to the end of our lives.
Amen!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
A Familial Ministry Style
This morning I am reading from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV:
[11] "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, [12] encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."
The context in which Paul wrote these verses was related to their authority as Apostles and their time with the Thessalonians. Paul was describing his love and care, and contrasting his ministry style from others, apparently. Where some chose to come all high and mighty in their authority and position, Paul came as a father loving his children. Additionally Paul worked hard to not be a burden on any he visited, as his team provided for themselves, during this part of his ministry.
This is one of the things I most appreciate about Paul, his humility in ministry. He was one of the most prolific church planters and evangelists, and Apostles and yet he worked to provide for himself and his team. He didn't lose sight of why he was ministering, nor did he allow his message to be influenced by human acceptance or need for money (see 1 Thess 2:1-6). It is not that Paul wasn't grateful for the fellowship and care, and financial gifts from the churches, but he made himself non-reliant on such gifts and care.
Back to these verses, Paul is very paternal in his expression. There is a strong sense that for Paul, each church, each group of people the Lord gave him to work with became special in his heart. He was not the kind of man to come in and minister the word and move on without establishing relationships with the people of the church. In the previous verses, he was describing how they share not only the Gospel, but their lives as well. Paul apparently was all about relationships and real life.
I think this is one of the reasons Paul was so effective in ministry. He allowed people to see who he really was and was willing to give of his time, energy, and own money to be with them. They came to understand his care, concern and character. They saw his love for them and his example. He encouraged those who needed encouragement, not out of duty but out of relationship. He comforted those who needed comfort, and urged them all forward into God. Again, all of this he did not for his own sake but for their sake.
I am encouraged this morning that Paul was first and foremost concerned about the people and the gospel. I am encouraged by his integrity and pursuit of God. I am encouraged by his relational focus and heart connections he established with the people he met.
[11] "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, [12] encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."
The context in which Paul wrote these verses was related to their authority as Apostles and their time with the Thessalonians. Paul was describing his love and care, and contrasting his ministry style from others, apparently. Where some chose to come all high and mighty in their authority and position, Paul came as a father loving his children. Additionally Paul worked hard to not be a burden on any he visited, as his team provided for themselves, during this part of his ministry.
This is one of the things I most appreciate about Paul, his humility in ministry. He was one of the most prolific church planters and evangelists, and Apostles and yet he worked to provide for himself and his team. He didn't lose sight of why he was ministering, nor did he allow his message to be influenced by human acceptance or need for money (see 1 Thess 2:1-6). It is not that Paul wasn't grateful for the fellowship and care, and financial gifts from the churches, but he made himself non-reliant on such gifts and care.
Back to these verses, Paul is very paternal in his expression. There is a strong sense that for Paul, each church, each group of people the Lord gave him to work with became special in his heart. He was not the kind of man to come in and minister the word and move on without establishing relationships with the people of the church. In the previous verses, he was describing how they share not only the Gospel, but their lives as well. Paul apparently was all about relationships and real life.
I think this is one of the reasons Paul was so effective in ministry. He allowed people to see who he really was and was willing to give of his time, energy, and own money to be with them. They came to understand his care, concern and character. They saw his love for them and his example. He encouraged those who needed encouragement, not out of duty but out of relationship. He comforted those who needed comfort, and urged them all forward into God. Again, all of this he did not for his own sake but for their sake.
I am encouraged this morning that Paul was first and foremost concerned about the people and the gospel. I am encouraged by his integrity and pursuit of God. I am encouraged by his relational focus and heart connections he established with the people he met.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
The Key Question
Last evening I was praying and was reminded of a verse found in John 8:58 NIV: “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Recently I have been spending time thinking about Jesus' statements about who He was and what He came to earth to do. Here Jesus makes probably the most clear-cut statement about who He is. David Guzik has this to say in His commentary:
i. I Am: The ancient Greek phrase is ego emi, which is the same term used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in Jesus' day to describe the Voice from the burning bush.
ii. In using the phrase I Am (John 8:24, 8:58, 13:19) Jesus used a clear divine title belonging to Yahweh alone (Exodus 3:13-14, Deuteronomy 32:39, Isaiah 43:10) and was interpreted as such by Jesus' listeners (John 8:58-59).
iii. "The phrase harbours within itself the most authentic, the most audacious, and the most profound affirmation by Jesus of who He was." (Stauffer)
We can tell by the response of the people who heard Jesus say this that they had no doubt about His intent in making this statement. Here is John's record of the aftermath - John 8:59 NIV: "At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds."
They were reacting to what they thought was blasphemy, as Jesus was saying that He was God. He was using the same title that God used when Moses first encountered Him. It is clear that while the Jews were waiting for the Messiah, they did not think that He would have actually been God's son. They were waiting for a King to save them, but did not expect God. Thus, Jesus equating Himself with the Father, was beyond shocking, it was unthinkable to them. They held even the name of God in such high regard they wouldn't even say His name, just initials that referred to His name (translated to English as YHWH). Here is a quote from http://www.behindthename.com/name/yahweh:
"A name of the Hebrew God, represented in Hebrew by the tetragrammaton ("four letters") יהוה (Yod Heh Vav Heh), which was transliterated into Roman script as Y H W H. Because it was considered blasphemous to utter the name of God, it was only written and never spoken, which resulted in the original pronunciation becoming lost."
If they held the name of God in such high regard, one can only imagine how their minds must have been shocked to hear Jesus say He was God! The Jews just could not wrap their mind around the fact that God would humble Himself and become a man, and not even a man of great wealth and prestige. They had so long heard stories about the great and awesome God, who came in fire and clouds, who won battles for them and did amazing miracles, they couldn't adapt all that thinking to the person of Jesus.
The Apostles and disciples who followed Jesus daily, were able to make that jump in logic, because they saw what Jesus did and heard what He said. One could say they were able to make that jump because of their relationship and experience. The knew that Jesus was who He said He was, and were willing to follow Him, and believe Him.
I don't think much has actually changed since that time. There are those who just can't or just won't allow the truth of Jesus' words to resonate in their hearts. There are those that have never experienced relationship with God, so they only have stories and ideas, and things passed to them from others, regarding Jesus and God. There are those that can't wrap their mind around a God who was willing to come to earth as fully man, who then suffered and died for all men, that they all might be saved.
There are also those that do believe Jesus' words! There are those that have experienced God's love and forgiveness, His mercy and compassion, His blessing and peace. There are those that have experienced miracles and healing, those that have seen their lives turn-around because of their encounter with Jesus, and they know He is who He say He is! There are those that are followers of Jesus, who have experienced a living relationship with Him, and know that what He said is true.
So the key question this morning is how I react to Jesus saying He is God? Do I believe this? If so, how should it affect my life?
Lord, I pray that You will reveal Yourself to us all, that we would have no doubt that You are God!
Recently I have been spending time thinking about Jesus' statements about who He was and what He came to earth to do. Here Jesus makes probably the most clear-cut statement about who He is. David Guzik has this to say in His commentary:
i. I Am: The ancient Greek phrase is ego emi, which is the same term used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in Jesus' day to describe the Voice from the burning bush.
ii. In using the phrase I Am (John 8:24, 8:58, 13:19) Jesus used a clear divine title belonging to Yahweh alone (Exodus 3:13-14, Deuteronomy 32:39, Isaiah 43:10) and was interpreted as such by Jesus' listeners (John 8:58-59).
iii. "The phrase harbours within itself the most authentic, the most audacious, and the most profound affirmation by Jesus of who He was." (Stauffer)
We can tell by the response of the people who heard Jesus say this that they had no doubt about His intent in making this statement. Here is John's record of the aftermath - John 8:59 NIV: "At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds."
They were reacting to what they thought was blasphemy, as Jesus was saying that He was God. He was using the same title that God used when Moses first encountered Him. It is clear that while the Jews were waiting for the Messiah, they did not think that He would have actually been God's son. They were waiting for a King to save them, but did not expect God. Thus, Jesus equating Himself with the Father, was beyond shocking, it was unthinkable to them. They held even the name of God in such high regard they wouldn't even say His name, just initials that referred to His name (translated to English as YHWH). Here is a quote from http://www.behindthename.com/name/yahweh:
"A name of the Hebrew God, represented in Hebrew by the tetragrammaton ("four letters") יהוה (Yod Heh Vav Heh), which was transliterated into Roman script as Y H W H. Because it was considered blasphemous to utter the name of God, it was only written and never spoken, which resulted in the original pronunciation becoming lost."
If they held the name of God in such high regard, one can only imagine how their minds must have been shocked to hear Jesus say He was God! The Jews just could not wrap their mind around the fact that God would humble Himself and become a man, and not even a man of great wealth and prestige. They had so long heard stories about the great and awesome God, who came in fire and clouds, who won battles for them and did amazing miracles, they couldn't adapt all that thinking to the person of Jesus.
The Apostles and disciples who followed Jesus daily, were able to make that jump in logic, because they saw what Jesus did and heard what He said. One could say they were able to make that jump because of their relationship and experience. The knew that Jesus was who He said He was, and were willing to follow Him, and believe Him.
I don't think much has actually changed since that time. There are those who just can't or just won't allow the truth of Jesus' words to resonate in their hearts. There are those that have never experienced relationship with God, so they only have stories and ideas, and things passed to them from others, regarding Jesus and God. There are those that can't wrap their mind around a God who was willing to come to earth as fully man, who then suffered and died for all men, that they all might be saved.
There are also those that do believe Jesus' words! There are those that have experienced God's love and forgiveness, His mercy and compassion, His blessing and peace. There are those that have experienced miracles and healing, those that have seen their lives turn-around because of their encounter with Jesus, and they know He is who He say He is! There are those that are followers of Jesus, who have experienced a living relationship with Him, and know that what He said is true.
So the key question this morning is how I react to Jesus saying He is God? Do I believe this? If so, how should it affect my life?
Lord, I pray that You will reveal Yourself to us all, that we would have no doubt that You are God!
Monday, June 6, 2016
A Window to the Father
This morning I am meditating on the following verses form the Gospel of Luke 10:17-24 NIV:
[17] "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
[18] He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [19] I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. [20] However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
[21] At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
[22] “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
[23] Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. [24] For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
There is quite a bit to think on in these seven verses from Luke. First the seventy-two return after being sent to the surrounding towns and villages and they are excited by the fact that the authority they were given by Jesus was real, and they saw evidence of that in their experiences. Jesus, is overjoyed as well, but He cautions them to be focused on their relationship "your names are written in heaven" than on the power and authority they had experienced. This is such a good point, because we often get focused on the wrong things. While power and authority are supposed to be a normal part of our Christian life, the things that God is most concerned about is our relationship with Him. It is that through which everything else flows.
Secondly, Jesus again expounds on the fact that He really is the only way to the Father. This time talking about the only way we will know the Father is if Jesus reveals Him to us. The revelation of the Father really is one of Jesus' primary purposes in coming to earth. All of the previous revelation of the Father found in the Old Testament is, at best, just a small window of understanding. Jesus reveals the Father perfectly (Heb 1:3), and provides us a true perspective of what the Father would say and do in most any situation, for Jesus only did and said what the Father showed Him and told Him (John 5:19-20 & John 8:28). I am so grateful for this revelation, for we have in Jesus a window into God the Father, an ability to see and hear Him in action. We see how He responds to sinners, to the lost, to the sick, weary and rejected. He is full of love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and life. He desires our salvation not our condemnation!
Lastly, Jesus draws the minds of His listeners back to the Old Testament, to the words of the prophets and kings, to the foundations of their faith, and tells them that they are indeed experiencing that which they were all waiting for - the coming of the Messiah.
So today, I am encouraged to continue to reflect on what Jesus said and did, recognizing that He is representing the Father in everything. I am encouraged to look fully into that window that Jesus provides. I am encouraged to rejoice in the relationship I have with Him, for many looked to His coming and longed to interact with the Messiah, and I can do so daily. Finally I am encouraged to rejoice in Him, not in the power and authority He provides, but in my own salvation. I am encouraged to be grateful for all that He has given, but mostly for the opportunity to relate with Him and experience His love for me.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Filling Our Emptiness
This morning I am considering some verses from Paul's letter to the Philippians 3:17-21 NIV:
[17] Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
I was reading this set of verses, and was thinking about our present age - and was wondering what we have made our god (see verse 19). The Greek word, here translated stomach, is the word Koilia. It is translated appetite in some other translations. The root of the word is Koilos which is defined as a hollow place. So paraphrasing, Paul says that these people have made filling that hollow place, that empty place inside them, their god.
Wow, now that hits pretty close to home. I wonder how much time I spend reading from the Internet to fill empty time? The world is awash in things that we can turn to so that we feel like we are filling that hollow place inside us. We can turn to things that do that literally, as in food and drink and we can turn to things that do that emotionally, or mentally, e.g. TV, movies, Internet, etc. The point Paul is making is that this type of activity, especially when it becomes our focus and what we think about, is dangerous and not what we as Christians should be doing. That again hits quite close to home!
As Christians, we are called to have a heavenly mindset, to have our thoughts and perspectives rooted in our heavenly reality. We don't want to spend all our time thinking about what Heaven is like, but instead are supposed to be engaged in bringing God's Kingdom realities, those that exist in heaven, to earth (See Matt 6:10). We are supposed to learn our Kingdom culture and then be advocates for that culture within the world.
Becoming focused on things of this world, our TV Shows, our favorite movies, Twitter, texting, Instagram, Facebook, food, drink, our work, our hobbies, making money, takes our eyes and perspective off of Him and our heavenly reality. Paul goes so far to say that people such as these are enemies of the cross. Wow! None of these things are inherently bad, but when they become our focus and what we turn to for satisfaction, our identity and fulfillment they take the place of God. He is our provider and sustainer! He is the one we should be turning to for our identity. He is the one in whom we should find our primary fulfillment. As I was thinking about this, the analogy of eating all sugary foods came to mind. They taste great, they fill us up, but they ultimately leave us hungry for more, because they are largely calories absent of any true nutrition. The same can be said for most of the things listed above - they have no real eternal value, and they always leave us hungry for more.
If we find that we are filling our lives with things that are empty of real value and/or find that the focus of our lives is not God and His Kingdom, then repentance is in order. Repentance means changing the way we think and then changing the way we act.
Paul in the verses preceding these was encouraging the people of the church Phillipi to press forward. Here are his words - Philippians 3:12-14 NIV:
[12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
So this morning I am encouraged to look at my life and see where I am filling the hollow places with things that don't satisfy. I am encouraged to press forward, to know Him and His plan for me. I am encouraged to work to attain God's perspective, and being to think with a Kingdom mindset. This morning I am encouraged to repent and change the way I think and act. I am encouraged to fill my life more and more with things that speak of the Lord, His Kingdom and character.
Amen!
[17] Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
I was reading this set of verses, and was thinking about our present age - and was wondering what we have made our god (see verse 19). The Greek word, here translated stomach, is the word Koilia. It is translated appetite in some other translations. The root of the word is Koilos which is defined as a hollow place. So paraphrasing, Paul says that these people have made filling that hollow place, that empty place inside them, their god.
Wow, now that hits pretty close to home. I wonder how much time I spend reading from the Internet to fill empty time? The world is awash in things that we can turn to so that we feel like we are filling that hollow place inside us. We can turn to things that do that literally, as in food and drink and we can turn to things that do that emotionally, or mentally, e.g. TV, movies, Internet, etc. The point Paul is making is that this type of activity, especially when it becomes our focus and what we think about, is dangerous and not what we as Christians should be doing. That again hits quite close to home!
As Christians, we are called to have a heavenly mindset, to have our thoughts and perspectives rooted in our heavenly reality. We don't want to spend all our time thinking about what Heaven is like, but instead are supposed to be engaged in bringing God's Kingdom realities, those that exist in heaven, to earth (See Matt 6:10). We are supposed to learn our Kingdom culture and then be advocates for that culture within the world.
Becoming focused on things of this world, our TV Shows, our favorite movies, Twitter, texting, Instagram, Facebook, food, drink, our work, our hobbies, making money, takes our eyes and perspective off of Him and our heavenly reality. Paul goes so far to say that people such as these are enemies of the cross. Wow! None of these things are inherently bad, but when they become our focus and what we turn to for satisfaction, our identity and fulfillment they take the place of God. He is our provider and sustainer! He is the one we should be turning to for our identity. He is the one in whom we should find our primary fulfillment. As I was thinking about this, the analogy of eating all sugary foods came to mind. They taste great, they fill us up, but they ultimately leave us hungry for more, because they are largely calories absent of any true nutrition. The same can be said for most of the things listed above - they have no real eternal value, and they always leave us hungry for more.
If we find that we are filling our lives with things that are empty of real value and/or find that the focus of our lives is not God and His Kingdom, then repentance is in order. Repentance means changing the way we think and then changing the way we act.
Paul in the verses preceding these was encouraging the people of the church Phillipi to press forward. Here are his words - Philippians 3:12-14 NIV:
[12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
So this morning I am encouraged to look at my life and see where I am filling the hollow places with things that don't satisfy. I am encouraged to press forward, to know Him and His plan for me. I am encouraged to work to attain God's perspective, and being to think with a Kingdom mindset. This morning I am encouraged to repent and change the way I think and act. I am encouraged to fill my life more and more with things that speak of the Lord, His Kingdom and character.
Amen!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Love, Our Foundation and Conveyance!
This morning I am continuing my reflection from John's Gospel. As I said before the fourteenth chapter is such a significant chapter and one worthy of our attention. Here are the verses I am reflecting on today - John 14:15-21, 23-24 NIV:
[15] “If you love me, keep my commands. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever--- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [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. [24] Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
My attention was drawn to the two similar statements in these verses having to do with the Holy Spirit, Jesus and the Father all being with and in me. Talk about wondrous mysteries - the Trinity exists within me! Clearly we cannot even begin to fathom what that actually means, and how that works, but if we are to believe the words of Jesus, then we must believe these statements, whether we understand them or not.
Somehow and for some reason, God has chosen to be with me and in me, despite my sinfulness, imperfect human character, and frail human nature. He has entered my being not as a possessor, but at my invitation and because of His desire. He exists in me because of His love for me! All this is way beyond my understanding, yet it must be true, for He continues to allow me free-will, allowing me to be myself, and does not subject my will to His, but He invites me to follow Him through my own wilful obedience.
Secondly, the first statement before any comment about obedience, is about love. First and foremost the invitation is to a loving relationship. God is not after obedient mindless and heartless people, but is after us for the sake of relationship! If we love Him, then we are invited to keep His commands. Love is supposed to be the foundation of all our interactions with Him. His primary command is to love Him and each other. If we love Him, we will be motivated by our love and affection towards obedience, towards loving Him and others more fully. If we love Him more fully, we experience His in-dwelling more fully, and we are more motivated to follow His teaching and commands! I see this as an upward spiral that we can chose to experience.
Thirdly, since we cannot begin to fathom these truths, it must be part of the Lord's responsibility to reveal these truths to us, to each of us experientially. Relationships are about experiences for our heart, mind and body. There must be real experiences to be a real relationship, otherwise it is all fanciful fantasy. Those who are convinced they have relationships with celebrities despite any evidence to support their claims are deemed more than a little crazy. This is not how God desires us to experience our relationship with Him.
As I was writing those last few sentences I was reminded of a great prayer for us that Paul recorded in his letter to the Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV:
[16] "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
If we look closely at Paul's writing, it closely parallels the statements of Jesus, as recorded by John. It all begins with faith and belief that His words are true. Upon that exclamation of faith (which is salvation) we are rooted and established in love. Love is that which becomes the foundation of our life with Him, and it is as we experience that love in its immensity that we become filled to the measure of all fullness in God! Love is both the foundation and conveyance of our lives. Love is that upon which we step forward, upon that which ride upward, and that through which we experience God.
I love the fact that Paul uses the Greek word ginosko to describe our knowing God's love in verse 19. This word describes understanding that goes far beyond head knowledge. It is the same word that is used to describe marital intimacy between a husband and wife. Clearly this is knowledge involves the whole of a person, mind, body and spirit.
I am going to stop here, for I could continue to expound upon these verses forever. Suffice it say that my reflection this morning is more than a bit overwhelming and beyond my grasp intellectually, yet still true. I am so glad that things can be true, despite my ignorance or lack of understanding. I am encouraged that God lives with me and desires me to experience His love. I am so encouraged that love is the foundation for all my interaction with God. Lord, help me to know Your love more fully!
[15] “If you love me, keep my commands. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever--- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [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. [24] Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
My attention was drawn to the two similar statements in these verses having to do with the Holy Spirit, Jesus and the Father all being with and in me. Talk about wondrous mysteries - the Trinity exists within me! Clearly we cannot even begin to fathom what that actually means, and how that works, but if we are to believe the words of Jesus, then we must believe these statements, whether we understand them or not.
Somehow and for some reason, God has chosen to be with me and in me, despite my sinfulness, imperfect human character, and frail human nature. He has entered my being not as a possessor, but at my invitation and because of His desire. He exists in me because of His love for me! All this is way beyond my understanding, yet it must be true, for He continues to allow me free-will, allowing me to be myself, and does not subject my will to His, but He invites me to follow Him through my own wilful obedience.
Secondly, the first statement before any comment about obedience, is about love. First and foremost the invitation is to a loving relationship. God is not after obedient mindless and heartless people, but is after us for the sake of relationship! If we love Him, then we are invited to keep His commands. Love is supposed to be the foundation of all our interactions with Him. His primary command is to love Him and each other. If we love Him, we will be motivated by our love and affection towards obedience, towards loving Him and others more fully. If we love Him more fully, we experience His in-dwelling more fully, and we are more motivated to follow His teaching and commands! I see this as an upward spiral that we can chose to experience.
Thirdly, since we cannot begin to fathom these truths, it must be part of the Lord's responsibility to reveal these truths to us, to each of us experientially. Relationships are about experiences for our heart, mind and body. There must be real experiences to be a real relationship, otherwise it is all fanciful fantasy. Those who are convinced they have relationships with celebrities despite any evidence to support their claims are deemed more than a little crazy. This is not how God desires us to experience our relationship with Him.
As I was writing those last few sentences I was reminded of a great prayer for us that Paul recorded in his letter to the Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV:
[16] "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
If we look closely at Paul's writing, it closely parallels the statements of Jesus, as recorded by John. It all begins with faith and belief that His words are true. Upon that exclamation of faith (which is salvation) we are rooted and established in love. Love is that which becomes the foundation of our life with Him, and it is as we experience that love in its immensity that we become filled to the measure of all fullness in God! Love is both the foundation and conveyance of our lives. Love is that upon which we step forward, upon that which ride upward, and that through which we experience God.
I love the fact that Paul uses the Greek word ginosko to describe our knowing God's love in verse 19. This word describes understanding that goes far beyond head knowledge. It is the same word that is used to describe marital intimacy between a husband and wife. Clearly this is knowledge involves the whole of a person, mind, body and spirit.
I am going to stop here, for I could continue to expound upon these verses forever. Suffice it say that my reflection this morning is more than a bit overwhelming and beyond my grasp intellectually, yet still true. I am so glad that things can be true, despite my ignorance or lack of understanding. I am encouraged that God lives with me and desires me to experience His love. I am so encouraged that love is the foundation for all my interaction with God. Lord, help me to know Your love more fully!
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