Releasing Favor, Not Judgment

This morning I am reflecting on some verses from Matthew 9:35-38 NIV:

[35] "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.”

As I read through this, my first thought was how Jesus was releasing favor, not judgment, from heaven.  I was reading verse 36 in the original Greek and the words used by Matthew could be translated "skinned alive and thrown away", so this is much more than just a mild state of affliction.  One wonders who was doing the harassing?  

According to one Jewish author I was reading, "ancient Judaism acclaimed God as source of health and illness, with sickness a divine-mandated punishment for individual and communal sins."  (see https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/illness-healing/).  I believe this does represent the standard worldview of the Jewish people at the time of Jesus' visit.  Thus, those that were sick were viewed as sinful or part of a sinful family or tribe.  Sickness was more than uncomfortable, it was a label that you were being judged by God!   The apostles brought this very theme to light when they asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ( John 9:2 NIV).

As I was thinking about this, I thought about prisoners on a chain-gang, all dressed in striped clothes, chained together, all convicted by judges.  We tend to lose sight of the individual in these cases, just seeing them as condemned criminals, and to me this seems to be what it must have been like for the sick and their families.  They were considered as condemned by God, under His wrath.

Except, Jesus, the Son of Man, comes and proclaims the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God, and rather than judge these helpless people, He heals them, and sets them free!  He touches them, and recognizes them, and releases them from judgment by healing them!  I am reminded of one of my favorite verses from Isaiah, speaking prophetically about the Messiah and the spirit in which He would minister - Isaiah 42:1-7 NIV:

[1] “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; 

I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 

[2] He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 

[3] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. 

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 

[4] he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. 

In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” 

[5] This is what God the Lord says---the Creator of the heavens, 

who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, 

who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 

[6] “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. 

I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 

[7] to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."

He was releasing these sick from the prison of judgment for their sickness. He was giving them clothes that said redeemed and righteous, rather than convicted!  He was expressing God's favor, God's forgiveness, God's love!  

No wonder the crowds gathered around Him, He was a one-man rescue operation, freeing prisoners from judgment everywhere he went!!  

Oh, that we would pray for the workers to be sent into this great harvest, those who believe they are judged and condemned!  Lord, release favor from heaven, mercy and compassion from Your throne, setting all the captives free, healing all the diseases and sickness!

Amen and Amen!

Righteousness Goes Before Us!

This morning I am reading and reflecting from Mark 11:27-33 NIV:

[27] "They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. [28] “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” 

[29] Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [30] John's baptism---was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” 

[31] They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' [32] But if we say, 'Of human origin' ” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) [33] So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.” 

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

MY first thought in reading these verses, was "Thank You, Holy Spirit!"  The possibility of the Holy Spirit speaking to us, helping us in difficult situations, is what Jesus is demonstrating here!  He knew their intent was to trap Him, by asking a question that could be used a against him, whatever way He answered.  They had not anticipated Jesus completely flipping the table on the them, and having Him use the exact same trap they planned for Him, on themselves, for that is what He clearly did, in this moment.  

I imagine that Holy Spirit was talking to Jesus and preparing Him for this situation prior to their arriving in the temple courts that morning.  I have had a similar experience where I knew that I was going to have a difficult conversation with someone, and asked for guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit, and He guided me to the approach, what to say, how to say it, and it was perfect, and certainly not something I would have thought up on my own.  In this case, a good logical thought process could have provided you a similar approach, but Jesus didn't need to rely on logic, He had Holy Spirit breathing understanding and insight into Him all the time.  There is nothing like knowing what the opponent is thinking, and having your answer prepared before they ask the question.

I am reminded of a time when an enemy was trying to attack Israel, found in 2 Kings 6:8-12 NIV:

[8] Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” 

[9] The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” [10] So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. 

[11] This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” 

[12] “None of us, my lord the king ,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” . 

What a fantastic example of the Holy Spirit providing exactly the guidance and direction needed, through Elisha in this case.  The fact is that this type of guidance and direction is available to us, as God's sons and daughters.  We just need to learn to ask and listen and obey what we hear!  

This morning I am encouraged to live my life in expectation of the Lord, giving me guidance and direction, providing supernatural insight and understanding, that I might live proactively, rather than reactively.  I am convinced that He goes, before us and prepares the way!  I am reminded of a couple of verses from Psalm 85:8-13 NIV:

[8] "I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants---but let them not turn to folly. 

[9] Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 

[10] Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 

[11] Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 

[12] The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 

[13] Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps."

Amen and Amen!  

How Are Suffering, Judgment and Worth Related?

I started an interesting reflection yesterday on the unusual and unexpected things that have value in God's perspective.  I was reading the following verses from - 1 Peter 4:17-19 NIV:

[17] "For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 

[19] So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

Definitely some of the verses we would prefer weren't in the Bible.  I don't want to be judged by God, and I don't want to suffer!  There is so much we don't understand about God's perspective, His plans and His heart.  

While reflecting on this, I was reminded of something I saw Shawn Bolz had posted:  "The one thing about the courtroom of heaven is that nothing is decided by knowledge, facts or information alone. Decisions are measured against the heart of God and what God knows - which is often unseen and unknown, except for those who are looking for it."

I really like this statement because it causes us to look past what we see and know, and stare into the face of God, looking for His heart.  Take these verses from Peter, when we think about these types of verses, we have a hard time getting past our human way of thinking!   We consider judgment and suffering bad, and yet in God's perspective they are tightly woven together, and are given value beyond our comprehension, for they are linked in the passion of Jesus.  

Lord, help us to push past our own thinking, into Yours!  Help us to hear and understand deep things, things that initially are offensive to us, because we view them from our own experience.  Help us to press further into Your realm, Your heavenly perspective!  

As I was reflecting on this I was reminded of two different sets of verses that are prophetic pictures of the Messiah, found in Isaiah 42 and Isaiah 53.  

Isaiah 42:1-4 NIV:

[1] “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,  my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 

[2] He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 

[3] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 

[4] he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

and Isaiah 53:1-6 NIV:

[1] "Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 

[2] He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. 

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 

[3] He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. 

Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 

[4] Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; 

the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

[6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

In the first set of verses the Messiah is bringing forth true justice, which is right judgment. We are all for that, as we think it will be applied to others.  However in the verses from Peter, we hear that it will be applied to the God's household, which includes His sons and daughters.  We don't like judgment because of the negative connotations, and yet, we want justice which requires judgment!  Is it possible that judgment is good?  What about punishment and suffering?

What I still find unbelievable, but true, is the fact that God took the punishment upon Himself, as Jesus, that was required for justice, as that is what is prophesied by Isaiah.  Jesus perfectly fulfilled this word in His passion and death, and thus achieved true justice on the earth, justice from God's perspective.  

Why did God choose this path?  I have no idea, but the fact that Jesus embraced it makes it valuable beyond understanding.  We find this represented in the visions of John, recorded in the Revelation 5:1-14 NIV:

[1] Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” [3] But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. [4] I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. [5] Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 

[6] Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. [7] He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. 

[9] And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 

[11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” [13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 

[14] The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped."

Here we find the themes of suffering, judgment (for the scroll contains judgments) and the value of them all brought together in a courtroom drama, actually I should say a throne room drama!  All of these are directly related to one another, and in God's economy (if I can use that term) they are what makes Jesus alone worthy.  

I certainly don't understand this picture and how God thinks about it, but I know that justice and suffering are seen completely different in God's Throne room!  This brings me back to the verses from Peter, and makes me look at them with a different perspective.  Rather than the focus being on punishment, maybe my focus should be on the worth of what is released, and what is accomplished by right judgment and suffering.  Clearly my salvation was accomplished by both! 

This morning I am encouraged to take a step back and look at what God values and how He thinks!   I am reminded that my thoughts are not His thoughts, and His ways are not my ways, but I can make progress in understanding His thoughts, and work to make myself more inline with His ways.

Clearly this is beyond my ability, but with Holy Spirit's help, it is possible.

Oh Lord, I need Your help!

Amen and Amen! 

As Gold, Purified!

Yesterday, during our worship, we were singing about offering the Lord everything, our whole selves, and I found myself thinking about the imagery of the sacrifice, and language around it.  We were singing about wanting to burn for God, and we mean the fire of passion and love, but sometimes I think we sing about things that sound great, but don't really think about what they might actually mean, and I found myself pressing into that place of knowing and understanding more.  

The first thing I started thinking about was Abraham and Isaac, and how the Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.  However, I quickly realized that in this case we were the ones that were singing about burning, so we would represent Isaac, definitely a bit more of an uncomfortable thought.  I felt like the Lord was asking, "Are we really willing to lay down our lives, to lay down everything to pursue Him?  Are we willing to allow our passion for Him to override our passion for everything else?  Are we willing to love and embrace God, even when it means dying to our hopes, our dreams, our promises, our aspirations, our comfort, our reputation, our opinion?  All very deep questions, and ones that Jesus is very familiar with, as He said yes!

The next place I started thinking about was purification of gold.  I actually didn't know much about the process that is used these days.  In the old days, they heated gold and skimmed off the impurities that float to the top, which is a good picture for us.  As our hearts are moved by passion for God, we will find that other things become less important, and some things we didn't know were in us, will float to the top, and be exposed.  This is how the Lord works in me, at least.  However, when I did a bit more research, I realized there was some imagery that might be helpful.

Here is a brief description of the two most common techniques for gold purification. 

"The two gold refining methods most commonly employed to derive pure gold are: the Miller process and the Wohlwill process. 

The Miller process uses gaseous chlorine to extract impurities when gold is at melting point; impurities separate into a layer on the surface of the molten purified gold. The Miller process is rapid and simple, but it produces gold of only about 99.5 percent purity. 

The Wohlwill process increases purity to about 99.99 percent by electrolysis. In this process, a casting of impure gold is lowered into an electrolyte solution of hydrochloric acid and gold chloride. Under the influence of an electric current, the gold migrates to a negatively charged electrode (cathode), where it is restored to a highly pure metallic state, leaving the impurities as a separate solution or residue." ( https://www.gold.org/about-gold/gold-supply/gold-refining#:~:text=The%20two%20gold%20refining%20methods,of%20the%20molten%20purified%20gold.)

What I thought was interesting was how when heat is applied, they add gas to the gold in the Miller process.  The gas causes the impurities to rapidly collect on the surface for removal.  In other words, the gas causes an acceleration of the purification process.  Does not the presence of the Holy Spirit blowing in our lives cause the same acceleration of purification?  When He is present in a manifest way, things that have been hidden are exposed, sin that has gripped us is broken, and repented of, and thrown away!  I though it was as interesting analogy.

Secondly, when just the presence of the gas doesn't quite bring enough purification, then they add the gold to an acid solution and apply power and the pure gold collects at the point of the electrode, and this finishes the purification process.  In this case, I thought it was an interesting parallel to the environment becomes caustic, when major shifts are happening, major issues or even persecution, that Holy Spirit raises up a person or a rallying cry.  When the Holy Spirit starts moving in power, and people are drawn, often the remaining issues (Impurities) are left behind. 

I was reminded this morning of the Lord speaking in scripture about being lifted up that all people will draw near.  Jesus said the following in John 12:30-32 NIV:

[30] Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. [31] Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. [32] And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

And again in Paul's letter to Titus 2:11-14 NIV:

[11] "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope---the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

This morning I am encouraged that we are entering a time where we will have the opportunity to embrace increased passion for the Lord, and increasing purification.  I am also encouraged that much of the purpose is that we might understand our truth worth to the Lord!  He wants us to see ourselves for who we really are, His bride!  

I am reminded of these verses from Revelation 19:6-8 NIV:

[6] Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. [8] Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)

Amen and Amen!

Released and Restored to Life

This morning I was reminded of a theme I was thinking about last Sunday, that of deep healing and restoration, even to the way a person's brain is wired, or a body is functioning chemically. We are amazing creations and super-complex in our bio-chemical, physiological,  emotional, thinking, relational, and spiritual make-up and inter-working.  In any of our systems, if you can call them that, having issues can cause problems in many if not all of the other systems.  Paul spoke of this in 1 Corinthians 12, when he used the body analogy, and said,  "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV)

I was thinking last Sunday of those people who are significantly affected in one way or another;  one whose body has been ravaged by disease; one whose emotions are scarred by past experiences; one whose bio-chemical balance is off and they are struggling with depression; one who has been sinned against and carries the deep shame, guilt, and spiritual woundedness deep inside; one who struggles with addiction; one who struggles in an abusive relationship; one who struggles with self-hatred, and on and on. 

It was in my mind that these are the people who need the touch of the Lord, to set them free from what ever is binding them.  The image I had was a person in ragged clothes standing outside a clothing store, looking in at an awesome outfit, and thinking that as much as they wanted to wear that outfit, they could never do so because of their situation, circumstances or condition and they had no hope for any change. 

This morning as I was reflecting back on that, I felt like the Lord directed me to the story of Lazarus.  If there was ever an impossible situation, this was it, and yet the Lord moved.  I have studied the process the body goes through after death and by the 4th day, there was not much left of Lazarus on the inside, to restore and heal.  (See my blog entry for more regarding this - https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/02/gods-promises-are-good-it-is-never-too.html).  His body had started to decay, internal organs had likely ruptured, etc.  When Jesus called forth Lazarus and he came out of the tomb, all of this decay was completely restored, his mind, emotions, body chemistry, all were completely restored and healed to the point that he was completely normal again!  

I have included John's recounting of the story:

John 11:17,38-44 NIV:

[17] On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 

[38] Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. [39] “Take away the stone,” he said. 

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 

[40] Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

[41] So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 

[43] When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 

[44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

We know that he was healed completely and normal once again for we find Lazarus mentioned again in John 12:1-2 NIV:

[1] "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. [2] Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him."

What an amazing miracle God did in healing and restoring Lazarus!!  The point is, however, that He can do the same miracle in any one of us!  He can restore and heal our bodies, He can restore our mind, He can restore right chemical balance in us, He can restore relationships, He can set us free from whatever binds us, in this case it was death, and if that didn't stop Him nothing else can!

Paul had it right when he wrote, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ( Romans 8:38-39 NIV).

As I was just thinking about these verses and imagining Lazarus in the tomb, I could almost see death as a personality gleefully holding onto Lazarus, until Jesus spoke, and Lazarus was ripped out of death's grasp and restored fully to life!  It wouldn't have mattered if it was addiction, self-hatred, chemical-imbalance, depression, emotional or spiritual scarring, when Jesus spoke, every chain would have broken!  In this case, the stone was blocking Lazarus' new life, in the image I saw,  it was a pane of glass, and it wouldn't mattered if it was 12 feet of cement and 10 feet of steel, when Jesus speaks, it is rolled away!

This morning it is my belief that the Lord wants to speak! 

He wants to issue the command to come forth! 

He wants to set free!  

He wants to heal and restore!

Let Him speak over your life!  Let Him instill hope in you for that life you don't think you will ever be able to live!  Let Him restore, and recreate the promises that have died or been buried!  

Come Lord Jesus, release the dead!  Restore, heal and refresh the wounded!  Give hope to the hopeless!

Amen and Amen!

Listening, Obedience and Relationship

This morning I am reflecting on a couple of sayings of Jesus concerning how well we listen, and how we respond to what we hear.  It is always an interesting reflection to stop and let His words bring revelation, and exposition.  Here are the verses - Matthew 7:21-27 NIV:

[21] “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!' 

[24] “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

I actually started reading in Luke this morning, and read a parallel passage to verses 24-27, but as I was reading I was reminded of the way Matthew had captured these teachings, and an insight I had many years ago, so I decided to turn to Matthew's Gospel.  I find as I read scripture, I am often reminded of other passages and the Lord just seems to weave a whole message through the related verses.  I find that this is one of the ways the Lord speaks dynamically into my life, and as such, it is one of my favorite things, even when it stretches me or uncovers areas of needed growth. Anyway, that is what I am expecting today.

If I were to outline the most important bits of the two sections above I would say that it is listening, obedience and action.  In verse 21 Jesus says "only the one who does the will of my Father" and in verse 24, "everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice".  We can't possibly know the Father's will if we aren't discerning, and most of the time that means listening, not just with our physical ears, but with our ears of faith, listening to the still small voice, that inner dialogue we can have with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus lays it out even simpler in verse 2, for we must "hear" and "put" what we hear into practice.  

I was just reminded of all the times my Mom would ask me to do something as a kid, and I would answer, "yes, Mom!" but then not actually get up and do what she asked.  I would hear her, would even respond that I heard, but then keep right on doing what I was doing... and I can say quite definitively, that was not the response she was expecting.  She was patient, but only to a certain point, and then she would do it herself, and that was not a good thing.  

In a much more important way, I believe the Lord is constantly speaking to me, helping me, guiding me, preparing me, helping me to mature.  Sometimes when I look back at my life, it seems like I am still dealing with the same old stuff, as some would say, gong back around the mountain.  This is a clear indication that I haven't learned or grown in this area sufficiently to move on.  It is like I am stuck on a level of video game and can't beat the boss of that level, so I just keep repeating.  The good news is that the Lord is more patient than my mom, and He will continue to bring me back over and over, knowing that this one thing is important for me to learn.  

At other times, I look at my life an see the multitude of ways the Lord has worked, see the fruit of His work in my life, and see how I have actually matured and grown, and I am grateful.  I know that His view of my future is much more informed than my mom's was, she knew I would grow up and mature at some point, but the Lord knows my entire life, and is constantly speaking into my life in the here and now, and He is desirous of me hearing, and now responding.

It is clear from reading scripture that our lives will be difficult at times, even more than we can bear, at others.  Jesus uses the images of rain, streams and winds and they can be both hard and good.  Without rain the crops die, too much rain and they wash away.  Streams deliver moisture to places it doesn't rain, provide fish and all sorts of life, but when they overflow the banks they bring devastation.  Wind blows away old dead leaves, cools and sustains us, provides resistance that allows plants and trees to grow strong, and even provides power when harnessed correctly, yet it can destroy in an instant that which has stood for decades , even centuries.  Many places in the world have rainy seasons, and it is important to be ready for them before they come.  The Lord in using this imagery, is saying that He will prepare us for these seasons, but that we need to listen to Him, and put into practice those things He teaches us.

So my question today, is what season is coming upon me, and what is the Lord saying that I might be prepared?  Recently I had the strong impression that things were changing, and while I don't know exactly what that means, I am alert, and trying to listen.  This might be the start of a new season, the end of an old, or just a change in the weather, which in Kansas City, can happen in a day.  We have learned to listen to the weather people for their best idea of what the weather will be like tomorrow and even next week.  While they seem to be right about 20% of the time, the Lord is always 100% right, of course He has an eternal perspective. 

One other thing, when Jesus uses the imagery of rain, streams and winds, they can also be images of the moves of the Holy Spirit!  Winds of revival, streams of healing, rains of refreshing!  Sometimes these moves of the Spirit create massive change, and we need to be ready for them!  The Holy Spirit came in power on Pentecost and the world has ever been the same, and the Lord had prepared them so that they immediately engaged in what He was doing.

The point of this all, is that He is speaking, and He desires that we listen, because He loves us and wants to help us, prepare us, mature us, and work through us.  First and foremost He is about relationship, and it is in the place of relationship that we hear Him speak.  Going back to verses 22 and 23, I think people were surprised by His requirement of relationship.  It is not enough to do things n His name, even great works, we must be known by Him!  The word used here is the Greek word ginosko  and Strongs gives the following help understanding it - "1097 ginṓskō – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance). 1097 /ginṓskō ("experientially know") is used for example in Lk 1:34, "And Mary [a virgin] said to the angel, 'How will this be since I do not know (1097 /ginṓskō = sexual intimacy) a man."  This is clearly a deep relational, experiential knowing, and as such requires interaction, actual co-shared experience. 

I was just thinking how in my early relationship with my honey, we would occasionally say the same thing at the same time, and we thought it was funny, and a bit enlightening, that we would respond to something in similar ways.  Now, I can almost tell you exactly what she will say, or how she will act, as I KNOW her intimately.  I have 30+ years of experience with her, and definitely have come to know how she thinks, how she responds and what she is important to her.  The Lord wants our relationship with Him to be this intimate, even more so.  In addition to knowing us, He knows what is happening in the world, in our lives, in the lives of our friends and family, and even in the spiritual realm.  He is wanting us to learn to listen to Him, that He might prepare us, guide us, strengthen us, and help us.  Lastly, He has things for us to do, and if we aren't listening and then acting, we will not be able to do them.

So today, I am encouraged to really listen, to spend more time reading, praying and actively listening to the Lord,   I am encouraged that I, at least, am moving into some sort of new season, and that the Lord will prepare me, and help me, and guide me.  He wants me to succeed, to be reactive, and productive, for the sake of His Kingdom and my betterment.  Most importantly, He wants relationship with me, and as such will make Himself available.  This is no, "we should get together sometime!" statement, but rather a real invitation where He is just waiting for me to turn my attention to Him.

Amen, come Lord Jesus!  I welcome You to speak for I am listening!

Experts On God's Character, Not Rules

This morning I am continuing reading from Luke 11, picking up where I left off yesterday.  I was reading the next few verses and struck by sad reality of how judgmental and short-sighted we can be, so focused on our opinion or expectations that we miss the work of God in our very midst.  Here are the verses - Luke 11:14-16 NIV:

[14] "Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. [15] But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” [16] Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven."

As I read through this, my first thought was, what happened to the man who was mute?  This has to be one of the most under-stated healings Jesus did, for while the crowd was amazed the experts immediately started arguing, and we hear nothing more of the man who went home speaking. Jesus is demonstrating His authority, compassion and mercy and all the "experts" can talk about is how he wasn't doing it correctly, or wasn't doing enough! 

This reminds me, in some ways, of the Church today, at least in America.  I don't have a wide view, but I know that there are multiple streams of thought about what God is doing, what He should do, how He should work, what any "true" Christian should believe or do, what is the  "true" church, etc.  We have allowed ourselves to be distracted by all the noise, the religious spirits, the judgmental spirits, the flinging of opinions, and we have forgotten what the Lord is actually doing and wanting to do!  

Our one command from Jesus is to love one another, in the same way He loved us (John 13: 34).  We aren't called to control one another, judge one another, or critique one another.  Love, as demonstrated by Jesus, involves action, and mercy, compassion, love, healing, listening, and acceptance.  He met thousands of sinners (in reality everyone he met was a sinner), and rather than reject them, He spoke to them, healed them and had compassion on them.  He demonstrated the Father's love for them, and did so in ways that stirred up the religious experts, not purposely, but because they couldn't past their own judgments and opinions.  They couldn't recognize God in their midst, because He didn't act the way they thought He should act!

The crowds, in general, got it!  They saw the signs and wonders, the healings and they knew God was moving amongst them.  Interesting that the sinners figured out who Jesus was, and who He represented, and is was the religious establishment that had the issue, the experts on how God was supposed to act, and how things had always been done.  

I feel like the Lord is wanting to make sure our eyes are open, that we are seeing what He is doing, because it might not be the way we think He will move!  He described Himself to Moses as,  “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, [7] 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV).  When we encounter God, it is my belief that these are the characteristics we first experience.  When we look at Jesus, we see Him demonstrating exactly these characteristics.  When we look at the church, this is what we should see and encounter first, for we are His Body.  

Oh that we would be experts in compassion, grace, abounding love, faithfulness, and forgiveness!

Amen!

Teach Us To Pray!

This morning I have been reading out of Luke 11, and it is Jesus' teaching on prayer.  Here are the verses - Luke 11:1-13 NIV:

[1] One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 

[2] He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. [3] Give us each day our daily bread. [4] Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ' ” 

[5] Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; [6] a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' [7] And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' [8] I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 

[9] “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

[11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

After reading these, I remembered that I had a couple of reflections in particular on these verses and I wanted to revisit them.  Here is the first of two:

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2014/07/lord-teach-us-to-pray.html

and the second:

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2014/07/approaching-father-with-shameless.html

Both were helpful to me this morning in reminding me of how the Father loves us, and encourages us to approach Him in our need.  I am refreshed in my heart, for often in the midst of my need I forget to step back and look up?  My need causes me to focus on myself, and Jesus is inviting us to focus on the Father, as He did.

At the very beginning in verse 1, Jesus finished praying, and my belief is that what He teaches next is directly related to His approach to the Father, as one who is presently operating as fully man.  Sometimes, we forget that Jesus was operating as we do, emptied of His Divinity, so as one who was fully man, and thus while we can only achieve some of what He did, His approach is repeatable by us.  We know that He was very focused on perfect obedience to the Father in all He said and did, and this teaching is essentially directly from the Father.  

Jesus is saying, 'this is how I approach the Father, I don't doubt, I don't fear, I come to Him in my need, knowing that He will provide exactly what I need, whether it is significant, or bread for a friend. He opens the door every time I knock, every time I ask, He provides, every time I seek Him, He reveals Himself and His ways.'  

Jesus is encouraging us that this access to the Father is available to us as well. We just need to remember and turn to Him, and ask, seek, and knock.  

Finally, the greatest need we have is for the Holy Spirit, and He is promised by Jesus, and the Father.  We just need to ask - see verse 13.

Lord, I know I need to look to You, to Your guidance, to You for provision, to You for direction, to You for perspective.  Help me Holy Spirit!

Amen!