Called, Sent, Provisioned, Hopeful

This morning I am considering the combination of two sets of scripture that I am quite familiar with Acts 17 and John 17.  Here are the verses -

Acts 17:25-26 NIV:

[25] "And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. [26] From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands."


John 17:6-23 NIV:

[6] “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. [7] Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. [8] For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. [9] I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. [10] All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. [11] I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. [12] While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled."

[13] “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. [14] I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. [15] My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. [17] Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. [18] As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. [19] For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."

[20] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one--- [23] I in them and you in me---so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Putting together an understanding of these combined messages, I would say it goes something like the following - The Lord has given us each an assignment, in time and location and peoples (nations).  He has given us everything in Him, to be successful to fulfill His purposes and plans.  He has been and is protecting us! He has been and is empowering us.  He has been and is sanctifying us. He has been and is praying for us. He has been and is calling us to unity in Him. He is in us. He Loves us!  He has even prayed for those who will hear our message, those to whom we have been sent!   We have nothing to fear!  We have everything we need!  He will be glorified in and through us!

Now that is a message of hopefulness!  Thank You Lord!

A Square Foundation

This morning I was reading through John 14, one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture. I have meditated on several of the verses many times. but today I thought I would reflect on these two verses, which can be somewhat overlooked in the awesomeness of the rest of the chapter.  Here are the verses - John 14:23-24 NIV:

[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."

Two things of note - first, the foundational base is loving relationship. In fact, Jesus states that if there isn't a loving relationship, there is no obedience.  One could almost say that if there was what seemed like obedience without relationship the same statement still applies.  In fact, Jesus speaks about that in a statement He makes in Matthew 7:21-23 NIV: “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "

Clearly, loving relationship, knowing and being known, is the first foundation for life with Christ.  It is once this relationship is established that the Lord then begins to help us hear and understand His will, even giving us the strength and faith to step out and obey.

Secondly, the words that Jesus are speaking are from the Father.  He is representing the Father, speaking for the Father.  These are not the words of a wise-man, or a great teacher, these are the Words of God the Father.  For this reason, I do like a red letter version of the Bible, because it helps us focus on Jesus' and through Him, the Father's words!  That really is an amazing reality - we have represented he in Scripture the very words of the Father, spoken through Jesus.  We don't have to wonder what He sounds like, what He says to sinners or to those that are rejected, we have a record here, in our Bibles.  We can get to know the Father through the revelation of the Jesus, His son.  Jesus doesn't just remind us of the Father, having some of the same mannerisms, having a similar look, or way of expressing Himself, He is the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3).

These may seem like very basic truths, but it is so important that we fully grasp these truths in our lives and hearts.  The foundation of a building determines how strong it will stand, and how long it will endure.  It is the basis for every other bit of building that is done on top of it.  IF the foundation is not true and square, then everything built above it will become more and more out of line and out of square.

Lord, help me to fully embrace and fully believe Your words!  Help me to get these right, and help me to build my life of obedience upon these truths!  I do love You and desire to do what you ask!  I welcome you!

Inheriting Everything?

This morning I am reflecting on two sets of verses.  The first comes from John's Gospel, and is Jesus praying for His disciples, and the second is from Paul's letter to the Romans.

John 17:6-10 NIV
[6] “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. [7] Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. [8] For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. [9] I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. [10] All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them."

Romans 8:15-17 NIV:
[15] "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

My focus is on the last two verses in each of these selections.  Talk about mind-blowing...

Jesus says to the Father, "All you have is mine".  That is an inheritance.

The Father gives everything to His Son.  The son receives it and gives it back to the Father - "Everything I have is yours".

Paul says we are "God's children", "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ".

In other words, we have the same inheritance as Jesus! Our job, as Jesus stated is to receive what we have received and give it back to Him, bringing Him glory!

Wow!
Wow!
Wow!

Now let that settle in my heart and mind, Lord!  I cannot even fathom the truth of those statements, but I must believe that they are true.  Help me to understand the length, the breadth, the depth and width of these truths!  Help me to live my life embracing these truths.  Help me to cast unbelief far from my mind and heart!  Help me to live to my fullest understanding of these truths and beyond!

Amen!

Spring is Coming - A Message of Hope

This morning as I woke up, I found myself reflecting back on some things I was thinking this past Sunday during church.  Sometimes, I will have a sense of something the Lord is saying to us as a people, more than just my normal and daily conversational exchange.  This past Sunday, I felt like the message had to do with changing seasons approaching.  As a quick insight into what I was hearing, I have listed the four things that He seemed to pull together in my mind and heart.

Like normal we started our service with worship, and uring our worship one of our worship team members read a short set of verses from Book of the Prophet Hosea, ending with verse 6:3, which speaks of God's faithfulness in coming to us like spring rains.

As I was reflecting on that verse I felt led to read from Isaiah 42:9 NIV:  "See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”

As I was reflecting on the combination of these two sets of verses I was reminded of the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  In this story an evil witch had taken over the land of Narnia and it was always winter there.  However at one point, they sense a change in the wind, and they realized that spring was coming, and start seeing signs of that change, even before winter officially ended.

Finally, I was reminded of how the spring rains in Minnesota used to melt the snow, and before actual spring would come there was usually a sloppy messy transition from winter to spring. Although it was ugly, we didn't mind it because we knew that spring was coming.

In my mind I felt like the Lord combined these 4 different themes into a message of hope.  I felt like He said that many of us were entering into a time of transition, of changing seasons in our lives.  The message of hope was that God was announcing it and doing a work in many lives, even if it didn't seem like it.   While we may not see it yet, He was faithful to bring this change about.  He was announcing it ahead of time, and we could depend on His faithfulness.   The transition period might be a bit messy or difficult, but that was not a sign of failure, but rather of change.  I felt like for some the message was change resulting in new jobs, or new provision.  For others it was for a thawing of hearts and washing away old things and old ways.  The message was clearly one of hope and certainty, for God is clearly at work in our lives, and sometimes we just need to know that winds of change are coming, and that it will be good and bring new life.

Anyway, this morning I felt like it was right to share this and proclaim some good news - Spring is Coming!  New Life, new provisions, new jobs, new opportunities and new ways of looking at things!  God loves us and is always on the move.

Amen, I can certainly embrace the promise for all of the above!

Embracing the Mystery

This morning I felt led to reflect on several verses from Paul's letter to the Ephesians 3:4-6,10-12,14-21 NIV:

[4] "In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, [5] which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. [6] This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."

[10] "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."

[14] "For this reason I kneel before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. [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."

[20] "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Man, I love these verses.  There is so much here, that one could just reflect for hours, days even.  A few things grabbed my attention, so I thought I would just list them:

1) The inclusion of the Gentiles in the gospel promise was unknown prior to Jesus' command to go to all the world, but really wasn't realized until Peter when to Cornelius's house in Acts 9.
2) The Gentiles (most of us) are equal heirs with Israel - we receive the same promises, the same blessings, the same provision.
3) We receive the promise of Christ Jesus - salvation and restored relationship with the Father, and the Holy Spirit.
4) In Christ's actions there was eternal purpose, that of allowing all of us to have relationship with the Father - giving us the confidence to approach Him.
5) He strengthens us in our inner being!
6) Christ dwells in our hearts through faith!
7) We are rooted and established (Growing) in love, in Christ's love for us!
8) Power is available to us to grasp how wide, long, high and deep is God's love.
9) Power is available to know this Love, Christ's love for us!
10) Power is available to enable us to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God - that is a lot of power and a lot of fullness!

Finally - He is able to work through us, through the power that is at work within us, to do more than we could ask or imagine!  I can imagine much, but He is bigger than my imagination!

Oh Lord, that we might all grasp this mystery of Your power working in us and through us! That we might embrace our inheritance already provided in You!  Lord, strengthen us internally!  Fill us with Your power!

Amen!

Fan Into Flame!

This morning I felt like reading a bit from 2 Timothy 1:6-14 NIV:

[6] "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. [7] For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. [8] So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. [9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, [10] but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. [11] And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. [12] That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."

[13] "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. [14] Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you---guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."

Lately, it seems the gift of God within me has been burning low, sometimes almost ember-ish.  This morning as I sat down to pray I felt the Lord encourage me to fan that which is in me into flame again!  I am not sure how to do that, but that is certainly my desire Lord!  I was reminded of these verses from Paul to Timothy, and decided they would be good verses to reflect upon this morning.

My first thought in reading them is that I need all three things Paul listed that the Holy Spirit gives us -  power, love and self-discipline!  These are gifts that I need, gifts that I have already received.   Somehow I have allowed them to sit on the shelf, unused or seldom visited.  Maybe all I need to do to begin fanning them into flames is a bit of dusting off and putting them back into action?

Yesterday, I felt encouraged to pray in the Spirit while at work, which I had not done for quite a while.  Its not that I haven't been praying, been doing that a lot lately as it is clear I am once again going through some transition in my job.  Its more of a welcoming the renewed awareness that Holy Spirit brings peace, wisdom, insight and perspective, and that by praying in the Spirit, I have ready access to all.  Thank You for the gentle reminder Lord.

Secondly, as I was reading these verses this morning, the end of verse 12 grabbed my attention.  Paul says of Jesus, "(I) am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."   Paul doesn't mention specifically what he has entrusted to Jesus, but that day is clearly the day Paul receives his eternal reward by entering heaven.  My first thought upon reading this was that Paul had entrusted his whole life's work, even his reputation to Jesus.  I have no clear proof that this is what he meant, but in the previous couple of verses he was talking about how he was a prisoner, suffering and yet felt no shame.  That is a pretty strong statement, for what person when thinking about their life goals or aspirations, sees themselves in prison, suffering for doing right and following the one they are devoted to??  I think Paul had long ago laid down his personal aspirations and plans, and had embraced all the Lord had for him, regardless of the personal cost.  Talk about a heavenly mindset!

Thirdly, I am just encouraged by reading Paul's encouragement to Timothy.  Paul was wanting to see Timothy fulfill his own destiny in the Lord.  He wasn't berating him for his lack of fire, or his season of allowing his fire to become embers, but was instead encouraging Timothy to fan that which was in him back into flame.  My guess is that Paul had experienced many highs and lows in his personal faith walk since His encounter with the Lord on the way to Damascus. Paul writes about his sickness, his "thorn in his side" and in his second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 11, he lists many of the things he has suffered for His faith in Jesus.  Reading that list makes my body hurt!  Paul, knew suffering, knew pain, knew loneliness, knew waning hope and fear of death, knew what it was like to have plans changed, crushed and destroyed, knew the pain of personal loss, knew betrayal, knew discomfort!  In all of that I am sure he wondered on occasion, whether it was worth it all?  However, if those thoughts ever entered his mind, it appears that he always made his way back to the truth, and was strengthened in his resolve.  He knew well what it was like to have to fan back into flame his faith, and so was encouraging Timothy to do likewise.

Finally Paul makes a statement in his letter to the church at Ephesus, that sums this all up - Galatians 2:20 NIV:  "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  Paul saw his life as exchanged with Christ Jesus.  He had died and now Christ lived in him.  What an incredible act of selflessness.  He gave up his life that Christ might live in and through Him.  His decision to follow Christ, was not a 15 minutes a day, or even 2 hours a day type of following, but rather a radical all-in decision!  Paul had laid his life down, that he might live for Christ alone.  He had entrusted all that could have been into the arms of Christ Jesus, knowing that He was faithful and true.  He wasn't worried about His reward, he just wanted to live fully for Jesus.

Oh Lord, help me to fan into a flame that which is in me!  Help me to lay down my life for You.  Help me to be strengthened in my resolve, in my love and in Your power.

Amen and Amen!

Thoughts Regarding Christians Proclaiming Judgment

This morning I was reminded me of Abraham's negotiation with God over Sodom found in Genesis 18 - those are actually good verses to think on today - Genesis 18:22-32 NIV:

[22] "The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. [23] Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? [24] What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? [25] Far be it from you to do such a thing---to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

[26] The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake. ”

[27] Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, [28] what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?”

“If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.”

[29] Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?”

He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.”

[30] Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?”

He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

[31] Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?”

He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.”

[32] Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?”

He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”


I find this discourse between the Lord and Abraham enlightening and comforting.  At times our Christian brothers and sisters will be preaching judgement over a city, a region or even a nation because of their sins, and here we have a great example of God's heart.  As scripture is meant to be understood as progressive revelation - God constantly revealing more about Himself to His people and those He loves - we must use this scripture as a foundational perspective on God's heart towards the righteous, and unrighteous alike.  We do have the great flood and the story of Noah earlier, but in this case we see Abraham actually conversing with the Lord, working to understand His heart.

It would be very interesting if I were to chart out God's revelation of Himself in scripture - to see where He lays out His foundational characteristics.  I am sure someone has already done that study, so I will need to do some research.

Anyway, back to the verses at hand. Working the numbers, it is estimated that there were between 600-1200 people in Sodom, although others estimate much higher numbers,  so if we use the most conservative number of 600 - that means the 10 righteous would have equaled 1.7% of the population.  In my mind that is a very low percentage of righteous people, however in God's mind, that constitutes a reason to not enact judgement.  The way the Lord phrases His response is that it is "for the sake" of the righteous that He won't send judgement.

Somehow, some Christians have mistakenly thought their job was to call down and pray for judgment, when in reality it seems to me that they should be praying that their righteousness would be enough to avert judgment, either that or they should be working diligently to raise up enough righteous people in those locations to avert God's judgement.  It is important to note that righteousness is only truly available to us in Christ Jesus, through faith.  Thus, those who have responded to the Lord's invitation for salvation and relationship are righteous in God's eyes.  Thus, we could say that if 1% of the people were Christian, that would be enough to avert God's judgment.

All this is based on just this revelation found in Genesis, but this is not the last word in scripture that reveals God's character and heart regarding the unrighteous or unsaved.  Jesus provides a much clearer picture of the Father's heart, concerning the lost.  Here are just a few examples of the Father's heart as described by Jesus.

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."

Matthew 5:43-48 NIV: “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Matthew 9:35-38 NIV:  "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 19:10 NIV: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV:  "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:7-8 NIV: "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.”


Even though in retrospect, it is quite clear that Jesus was referring to all the world, when He was speaking in John 3, the disciples were not tracking and didn't realize salvation was for Jew and Gentile alike until Peter's experience in Acts 10, when the Holy Spirit falls upon the Gentiles in Cornelius's house.  When Peter returned to Jerusalem, he was asked to explain himself for having gone to the house of a non-Jew (uncircumcised was how they were described).  Here is the end of  Peter's statement and their response - Acts 11:15-18 NIV:

[15] “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. [16] Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' [17] So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God's way?”

[18] When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Thus, we see God's heart being revealed to the disciples again, to make sure they understood.  God's salvation is for us all.  His invitation is extended to all people.  His desire is that all might be saved!  Paul wrote something very similar in his first letter to - 1 Timothy 2:3-6 NIV:   "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, [4] who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time."


So, rather than proclaiming and praying for judgment, let us pray for salvation and mercy!  Let us pray that the knowledge of the truth would be presented to all people, to every nation!  Let us pursue righteousness through faith, in Christ Jesus!  Let us be grateful that mercy triumph's over judgment! (James 2:13)

Amen!

Since We Are God's Children, We ARE His Heirs!

This morning I reflecting on some familiar verses from Paul's letter to the Galatians 4:4-7 NIV:

[4] "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

The three verses prior to these, Paul was talking about how the Covenant of the Law was basically the guardian of the Jews.  These comments were based on the traditions of the time, thus we can miss some of what Paul is saying based on our unfamiliarity with those traditions. I did a bit of research on these exact verses a few years back and it is worth a read - https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/06/adoption-as-gods-sons-and-daughters-its.html.  The key point that Paul is making is that under Jesus we are invited into relationship as His true sons and daughters, with all the rights and privileges of an heir who has come of age.  Even though the terms that is used to describe this is adoption, it is a very specific legal description that means our former identity is completely eradicated and we now only have our new identity as God's heir.

The point is that there is no going back (to our old identity)!  In God's eyes it is not possible!  We are now His son or daughter, and that will never change.  Paul is driving this point home, for in the next verses following these, he is talking about the Galatians going back to old ways.  Paul was fighting for the Gospel of Grace through Faith, and there were those that were trying to force the Galatians to put themselves under the requirements of the Law (old ways).

Paul used the legal term for adoption, common in the Roman system, to explain that going back to their former identity (being under the Law) was not possible, once they had been set free and received adoption to sonship and daughtership. They could act like those under a guardian, with no rights and no freedom, but it was not God's requirement, nor would it ever be.  Being a true son or daughter and then putting oneself under the constraints of a guardian doesn't make one a better follower of Christ, or make one more righteous.   Righteousness and restoration of relationship were both won by Christ Jesus, and the message of the Gospel of Grace, is that both are free to us to receive, through faith.

Once you are an heir, you will always be an heir!  Once you receive your adoption as a son or daughter, you will always be a son or daughter!   There are those that try to convince us that we are not worthy, that we are not walking as a son or daughter, as an heir should, and have lost our relationship, and that just isn't possible.  There are those that try to convince us that following certain rules, or meeting some requirements will make us better sons and daughters than others and that just isn't true either!

It is true that we can receive more authority and responsibility in the Kingdom and family of God, as we grow and mature.  Jesus speaks of this several times in His teachings (Matt 25:14-28 for example) and Paul describes a growing and maturing (Eph 4:11-16)  and bearing more fruit (Col 1:9-14) , and they are basically the same thing.  I was just thinking that our modern equivalent would be a father who starts a business and then when his children become of age, he brings them on and they become partners in business.  We see this modelled many times around us by companies like Ford and Walmart.  If you look at a list of the wealthiest people in America you will see those related to Henry Ford and Sam Walton figuring prominently on the list.  These are great examples of what our identity in Christ includes, inheritance of all God has for us.

Every time I think on this theme I am reminded of the story of the prodigal son, told by Jesus, and specifically about the older son.  He was angry when the younger son came back and was restored to his inheritance, and was so angry he wouldn't even come into the Father's house to celebrate his brother's return.  The Father, in his great love, when out and spoke to the older son, and said the following - Luke 15:31 NIV: “ 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours."

Somehow in his life, the older son had missed the fact that the Father loved Him as much as the younger son, and that everything the Father had was available to him!  Somehow he thought he had to slave away for the Father, possibly trying to earn his reward!  What a sad state his heart was in!  He felt like he had to earn his Father's love, and anyone who didn't do the same work wasn't worthy of the Father's love!  Those who try to push the Law or requirements beyond the Gospel of grace through faith,  are operating in this same basic spirit, and somehow it sounds right to us.

One of my favorite authors, Graham Cooke, says,  "the gospel is too good to be true, but it is!" I think that is what we struggle with, for God's love, and acceptance, His invitation to sonship and daughtership, His spirit of adoption which we receive through the Holy Spirit all seems much too good!  How is it possible that God would give us all this, if don't strive to earn it?  The truth is that this is exactly what we receive - inheritance and love, acceptance and mercy, compassion and forgiveness, blessing and authority!  Wow!

This morning I am encouraged to revisit my thinking and make sure that I am living in the reality of what Christ Jesus has accomplished and made available to me!  I am encouraged to make sure my heart attitude is full of gratitude rather than judgment.  I am encouraged to embrace this radical gospel and let the truth of it settle in my heart and mind!

Amen!

Ten Questions

Going back a few days, I was recently doing some reading and came across a list of 10 questions for accountability groups and small groups.  I am not going to list the questions, but the questions were mostly focused on sin and avoiding sin.  While that can be helpful and needed, it seemed to me to be missing the point of what we are called to do as Christians.   We are called and invited into relationship with Jesus, to follow Him and become disciples of Him, representing Him here on earth, by becoming like Him.

My dad used to teach drivers education and he always told the students,  "Don't look at what you don't want to hit, rather look at where you want to be driving." The reason he did this came from practical experience.  He noticed that the more the drivers-ed student looked at things they didn't want to hit, like cars parked along the street, the more likely they were to hit them.  Where their eyes were focused tended to be where they drove the car.

In my Christian walk, rather than being sin focused, I prefer to try to keep my view on the things I want to do, like grow in relationship with Jesus!  I came up with my own list of questions as follows:

My questions would be more like:

1) How have you loved God?
2) How have you loved others?
3) How have you been a witness to Your relationship with Jesus?
4) How have you grown in relationship with Jesus?
5) What area of your life is the Lord speaking to presently?
6) What areas are you allowing temptation to reside?
7) What areas do you feel you failed?  How did the Lord respond?
8) What spiritual experience did you have this week?
9) How can we pray for you?
10) How have you experienced God's interaction in your life this week?

I would think that conversation and reflection on these questions would do much for our understanding and pursuit of our call to follow Jesus and represent Him to the world.

Responding To God's Promise/Prophesy/Calling

Yesterday I was doing some reflecting on the life of David and how God's promises were seen in his life.  When I woke up this morning I found myself going back to that theme, and adding the story of Jonah to it as well.  I think we can identify three different responses to the Promises of God in the lives of David and Jonah.  I would title them:

1) Embrace and Strengthen
2) Entitlement and Sin
3) Reject and Fight

I am not going to prove anything specifically, only look at three stories from their lives and compare the promises.  Now to be clear, when I am speaking of promises, we could also use the word prophesy, and even calling.  All three represent slightly different ways of describing God speaking a word into our lives, with the intent of encouraging us to fulfill His created purposes in our lives.   I would define the different words as follows:

1) A promise is God telling us something He is going to do in the future that will affect change in us.
2) A prophesy is the Lord speaking a word of encouragement about who He sees us as and what He sees us doing in the future.
3) A calling of God is His encouragement to actually step into who we are and what we are called to do.

As we look at the different responses, we can see that these are likely related to their view of God's character and thoughts of how He works in our lives.  A.W. Tozer, one of my favorite authors, says that how we think and what we think about God is the most important thing in our lives (my paraphrase), and I think he is completely right.  Our understanding of God affects how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how we understand and react to circumstances and situations we encounter in life.  

Back to the theme this morning, as we look at the life of David, I am going to extract out two different stories, and look at the David's assumed thinking, and how it might relate to God's promises/prophesy/calling in His life.  The first set is found in 1 Samuel 16 and 17, and here we will find the anointing of David to be the future King of Israel, and the his confrontation of Goliath.

Here are the verses that describe the anointing of David, found in 1 Samuel 16:1-3,10-13 NIV:

[1] "The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” [2] But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' [3] Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

[10] "Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” [11] So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” [12] So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

[13] "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah."

Now the text does not say specifically that Samuel said the words, I am anointing you as the future King of Israel, but the assumption is that was exactly what He did.  Samuel didn't just anoint random people.  The last person He anointed in this way was Saul, and that was to set Him apart as King.  This could not have been lost on Jesse nor on David.  We also see some proof that this would be the case, in the feared response of Saul, spoken by Samuel in verse 2.  Again, this was not a light thing, and people understood the ramification of Samuel's actions.

One other important point we should also note that with the Prophesy and the anointing, the Spirit of God came upon David and strengthened him.  In other words, with the release of the word, comes the grace and strength to do that which has been spoken.  In Isaiah 55 God speaks about how when His word is released it will accomplish that for what it was sent to do.  We can see in that statement that it is like God's power is infused in His Word, and when we receive the Word, we also receive the power to accomplish that which it was meant to accomplish.

So David is empowered by the Spirit of God, and one of the next things he encounters, is Goliath and the Philistines at war with Israel.  David's response to the threats of the giant is completely different than everyone else, including Saul.  David seems empowered and encouraged by God.  Here is his brief exchange with Goliath before killing him - 1 Samuel 17:45-48 NIV:

[45] "David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. [47] All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

[48] "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him."

We see in David's response, an absolute fearlessness.  I like to think that He was backed by God's Word, and strengthened by His Spirit, which tells me David had embraced this promise of God in His life and it gave him strength and courage.  It would be pretty hard for him to be the future King of Israel if he died in his battle with Goliath. History is full of people who thought they were invincible, only to be surprised by their soon discovered mortality.  David, wasn't fueled by some insane thought of his own superiority, but rather by the fire of his faith, and experience of God's provision, and by the Promise of God that he would be King.  David later describes God as his rock, his fortress, his deliverer (Psalm 18:2).  He stood on that rock, surrounded by that fortress, and was delivered by the Hand of God.  What a great story of embracing the promise, and allowing that promise to encourage and strengthen one's faith and actions.

In the second example we are going to look at God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7, and in this we see God's promise to David, that now includes one of His sons and even future generations. It is my belief that David got a bit carried away in his embracing of this promise and started thinking he was somehow entitled to more because of God's promise and special blessings.  Here are the verses where God speaks His promise to David - 2 Samuel 7:8-16 NIV:

[8] “Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. [9] I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. [10] And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning [11] and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies."

“ 'The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: [12] When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. [14] I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. [15] But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. [16] Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me ; your throne will be established forever. ' ”

When you look at this promise, it is really quite awesome.  Imagine receiving this word from God!  Its like David can't mess it up, because he knows that God is already planning on His successor (his own son), and has already established His family line, and even the nation.  This must have been an immense relief to David, and as I mentioned earlier might have been the point where David started thinking differently about Himself.  It is a dangerous thing to think too highly of oneself.  We can start convincing ourselves that God's rules don't apply to ourselves, because He has a special call, one that exalts us over our fellows.  As we see God move in marvelous ways, we can start to think that we are irreplaceable to God plans and purposes, and when pride enters, the fall is due shortly.  We have seen this same story played out over and over in the lives of powerful men of God, who somehow lose their way, and start thinking of themselves as blessed and approved and gifted in such a way that they are above the common faith-filled individual, and even above God's laws and will.  They start to think they can do no wrong, and the blessing they are seeing is the result of God's approval of them, and their actions.   It is as if they think nothing they do will affect them outcome of God's promise in their lives, and they begin to take what they want.  They forget that God is a God of Justice.

We see this occur in David's life in his encounter with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:1-27).  There are plenty of discourses on this fall in David's life, so I won't repeat them here, but I think we can say that He wasn't thinking right.  He  stayed true to his purpose for quite a while after the promise that was spoken in 2 Sam 7, but in time, he started to lose focus.  By the time we get to chapter 11, he was starting to take it easy. Instead of going to war with his armies, he stayed home. He wasn't where He should have been.  He was thinking that he could just take what he wanted, whether that was free time, or something else  He was living the dream, and started thinking he was the reason.  I think this is how pride can blind us!  Oh what a terrible place, replacing God's Blessing with our own pride.  In this case, David, had already sinned, even before he saw Bathsheba, his response to her was a clear sign of what was already at work in his heart.  David was full of himself, and no longer full of faith, or pursuit of His promises.  Ugh!

David went on to experience the consequences of His sin, he repented and was forgiven, but I believe he bore the pain of his failure the rest of His life!  The good news in this, is that God's promise was still fulfilled, but imagine how much more beautiful the story of David would be without his failing.

Finally we come to the story of Jonah, and his response to God's call/promise in his life.  The call of God is very short in his case, as described in the following verses - Jonah 1:1-2 NIV:

[1] The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: [2] “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

What is left out of this description are a few things that we should consider.  First, Jonah was obviously a prophet, for God didn't speak to just anyone in those days.  He specifically chose a few individuals and spoke to them, most of the time to call His nation back to Him.  The people of Israel didn't take the call of God to be a prophet lightly, and we can see how they recorded what God spoke, and pondered it and discussed it and revered it.  The whole of the Old Testament is witness to their revering God's word, as it was spoken through prophets.  Secondly, the intention of God, in releasing this calling to Jonah, was that Nineveh would repent!  The promise of revival was in this call of Jonah.  We see Jonah describe it later in his conversation with God as follows - Jonah 3:10 NIV: "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened."

Jonah 4:1-3 NIV:  "But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. [2] He prayed to the Lord, “Isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. [3] Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

Man, what a hard-hearted and judgmental guy Jonah was!  He didn't want God to relent, but was longing to see Him release His judgement on Nineveh!  One could assume this was a religious spirit that Jonah was embracing, one that required sacrifice, judgement and punishment. We could also make an assumption that this attitude possibly stemmed from the belief that He was part of the chosen people, the Jews, and that anyone else wasn't and thus only worthy of judgment!  He clearly understood God's heart, that He was "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love" and wanted nothing to do with that part of God's character.  He seems full of pride, full of judgment and full of himself.  Rather than embracing God's call, he instead rejected it and fought against it.  He didn't want to fulfill God's purpose and plan for Him, because it would require him to change his heart and actions, and he didn't want to do that!  Even when He relented and went and preached, he was unrepentant and angry.

It is interesting, in Jonah's case, he did everything he could to resist and fight the call/promise of God, and yet we see God releasing exactly what He promised, even using an unwilling Jonah.  The power and strength for success was clearly provided in the word of God to Jonah.  When he went to Nineveh, Jonah opened his mouth and spoke the word of the Lord, and when the word was released, God's power was released and the people responded immediately.  The good news is that once again, we see God's word doing that which is was sent to do, even with an unwilling prophet.  Imagine how glorious it would have been for Jonah to just have obeyed right away, and went to Nineveh, seen them as people that God loved, and called them and led them in repentance.  He could have been greatly blessed, along with God being glorified.  Instead he is just remembered as an angry prophet.

In summary, I am encouraged today to check my heart, to check my response and expectations concerning God's promises.  I am encouraged to embrace God's promises in my life, and allow them to empower and strengthen me.  I am encouraged to keep a humble attitude, recognizing that all good things come from God.  I am encouraged that we are invited to join in working with God to see His purposes and plans fulfilled in our lives, and the lives of those around us!  I am encouraged to know that the Word of God will fulfill its purpose on the earth and while I don't understand how He does it, I know that His plan and purpose for me will be fulfilled.  I am encouraged to continue to refocus and draw my heart back to God, knowing that He is about wonderful and blessed things in my life.  He desires me to walk in humility and  right mindedness that I might maximise His blessing!  I want to walk into the battle of life with God's promises backing me up!  I want to fulfill all that He has planned for me!

Amen!