He is Waiting & Running Towards Us

Verses for this morning - James 4:7-12 NIV:

[7] "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." 

[11] "Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you---who are you to judge your neighbor?"

In the past, when I have read these passages I have always separated the two of them, thinking that they essentially covered two separate topics, and one can certainly read them that way.  This morning I had the thought that the two first sentences in each paragraph were actually related, for clearly one of  the tactics of the enemy is to sow discord and division and some of his major tools in this are judgment and slander.  

It is amazing to me how quickly I can turn from praising the Lord to judging someone!  I can listen to a sermon and immediately criticize the speaker, and completely lose every good word that was just planted.  I can be like the soil that is the path, the seed never penetrates and is carried off by the birds of distraction. (See Matt. 13:19) Oh Lord, help me!

Just to be clear I am not always this way, but I have my moments, and any moments like that are not welcome. I want to be consistently submitted to God, looking to Him, not at others!  I want to press back against the distractions, the critical thoughts and judgments that flow into my mind unbidden.  I want to resist the enemy so much that he flees, hurried along by the wind of the Holy Spirit, as prayer and worship flows out of my mouth and heart.

I love the promise that when we come near to God, He will come near to us, and I have seen this over and over in my life. I am amazed at how faithful He is and remains.  The Lord is always responsive, always waiting and moving towards us.  He is the only one capable of judging anyone, and instead He greets us with open arms, grace, mercy and love!  When we come humbly to Him, He lifts us up!  I am reminded of the wonderful story Jesus told, and recorded in Luke 15.  Here are a few verses that recount the sons return, and the Father's response - Luke 15:20-23 NIV:

[20] "So he got up and went to his father. 

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 

[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 

[22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate."

Oh what a loving Father we have!  Let us not hesitate a moment in turning towards Him, even in our darkest hour or state, for He is constantly vigilant, waiting and running towards us! 

Thank You Lord! 

To Do, Or Not To Do?

Recently, I was thinking about Jesus being tempted in every way we have (Heb. 4:15), and I realized that most of that probably occurred in His 30 hidden years.  We know that He was a carpenter, a craftsman who worked with wood, and we know almost nothing about His life outside of ministry, other than a few glimpses we are given of His birth, His presentation at the Temple, and the time He was lost, and found in the temple (Luke 2). We are given two sentences to describe His hidden life, found in Luke 2:40 NIV: "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him."

-and -

Luke 2:52 NIV: "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

I have reflected quite often on these hidden years, and this morning find myself drawn back to this idea.  We have the following understanding from the letter to the Hebrews 4:14-15 NIV:

[14] "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are---yet he did not sin."

If sin is defined as follows (Strong's): Usage: prop: missing the mark; hence: (a) guilt, sin, (b) a fault, failure (in an ethical sense), sinful deed.

HELPS Word-studies

266 hamartía (a feminine noun derived from 1 /A "not" and 3313 /méros, "a part, share of") – properly, no-share ("no part of"); loss (forfeiture) because not hitting the target; sin (missing the mark).

266 /hamartía ("sin, forfeiture because missing the mark") is the brand of sin that emphasizes its self-originated (self-empowered) nature – i.e. it is not originated or empowered by God (i.e. not of faith, His inworked persuasion, cf. Ro 14:23).

We must understand that Jesus walked perfectly in the Father's will, never faltered, but was perfectly obedient.  As such, His hidden life was the will of the Father.  While His life must have been exemplary, and He had favor with men, He was otherwise hidden.  He did no miracles, no signs or wonders, and we hear nothing of Him until His baptism by John. 

We are told that within His hometown he is not held in particular reverence, in fact it seems almost the opposite.  Here are some verses providing insight - Mark 6:1-3 NIV:

[1] "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him."

If this was their response we must conclude a few things, first that Jesus had not taught in their synagogue before, and secondly, that He had done no remarkable things in their presence, or hearing, previously.  I have often though how difficult it must have been for Jesus, having the Father's heart, to stand by and not do anything remarkable as He witnessed people's struggles, sickness and trials. 

I am reminded of a verse found in the letter of James 4:17 NIV:  "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them."

Somehow Jesus perfectly walked this fine edge of obedience, knowledge of what He could do, and not stepping into His own power.  He was capable of far more than this hidden life, but His time had not come and thus, in perfect obedience to the Father, He didn't engage and didn't reveal Himself.  HE knew exactly what the Father wanted Him to do, and did only that, regardless of the temptation to step out in His own power. 

It is important to note that James, makes a clear distinction, that it is full knowledge of what good they ought to do, not just anyone's list, or a list of general good things to do.  Strong's gives the following word-study: eídō ("seeing that becomes knowing") then is a gateway to grasp spiritual truth (reality) from a physical plane. 1492 (eídō) then is physical seeing (sight) which should be the constant bridge to mental and spiritual seeing (comprehension)."

Jesus operated in this perfectly, for He saw exactly what He was supposed to do, and did that.  He was aware of the physical plane need and the corresponding response tied to it from the spiritual plane (Father's will).  Others might have had a different opinion of the good that He should do, and this could have been one of the reasons His home town took offense at Him (Mark 6:3).  I imagine Jesus must have had a constant dialogue going with His Heavenly Father, "To do, or not to do, that is the question!" (Sorry for the Shakespeare-esque phrase).  He must have constantly been asking for and receiving very clear direction on how to act, what to do, and what not to do! 

This morning, I am encouraged that sometimes we might over-think and over-expect what God's plans and purposes are for us.  It is actually possible to live an unremarkable life, and be in perfect obedience to the Father! 

Lord, help me to know exactly what You would want me to do, help me to know what to do, and what not to do!

Amen!

What We Think About Is Important

This morning I am reflecting on the opening verses from Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus.  They are so rich and full of revelation!  Here are the verses - Ephesians 1:3-10 NIV:

[3] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment---to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."

Things to think about, based on the above sentences:

1) We have been given every spiritual blessing!  

2) He chose us before the creation of the world.

3) In love, He predestined us to be His adopted children!  The Greek word used here is very specific and means our adoption is uncancellable ( see my blog on this topic https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/06/adoption-as-gods-sons-and-daughters-its.html )

4) It is His pleasure to have us as sons and daughters.

5) His Glorious Grace was freely given to us in Love!

6) Redemption, salvation and forgiveness of sins are given as gifts!

7) He has opened the door to us to all wisdom and understanding, even the mystery of His will, to be put into effect in their proper time!  

Wow, talk about drop-the-mic statements!  Each of these statements could be the basis of a book, for so much is in contained in these brief statements.  For example I have written forty-four different reflection on the fact that we are God's adopted sons and daughters, focusing in on different nuances each time.  

My encouragement this morning is to pick one of these themes and just let my mind, heart and spirit resonate with it all day long.  As A. W. Tozer says, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." I am encouraged to expand my thinking about God today.

Do You Now Believe?

This morning I was reading some verses from John's Gospel, and while almost laughable, they were encouraging.  This exchange happened after the Last Supper, during Jesus' last discourse.  Here are the verses - John 16:25-33 NIV:

[25] “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. [26] In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. [27] No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. [28] I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” 

[29] Then Jesus' disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. [30] Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” 

[31] “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. [32] “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The bit that caught my attention was the response of the disciples, "this makes us believe that you came from God".  This is where their minds are after watching Jesus perform countless miracles and healings!!  They had been eye-witnesses to the single most effective ministry, they had Jesus tell them He was the Messiah, and finally after all of that, it was the fact that Jesus stopped using parables and was answering their questions directly without them even asking that made them believe that Jesus was from God!  Not the healing of the man born-blind, the casting out of demons, the  feeding of five thousand, the walking on water, the calming the storm, none of those seemed to be enough to make them believe that Jesus was really from God!!  

I can almost hear the sarcasm in Jesus' voice in verse 31.  

However, I don't believe Jesus was surprised nor angry, nor even sarcastic, for He continued on into John 17 and continued to bring revelation and tell them they were His friends!  

The encouragement to me in all of this is that Jesus truly understood their limitations, their unbelief, their struggle to believe His words and actions!  He knew how short their memory was!  He knew how they struggled to gain the right perspective!  He knew that they still didn't understand what was about to happen!  He knew that they would all abandon Him!  He knew that they would be shaken to the very core of their souls!  He knew they were weak!  He knew all of this because He became man, and dwelt among us, and understands us!  

In spite of their failures, their inability to understand and their own limited perspective and selfishness, He loved them!  He had chosen them.  He had plans for them!  He forgave them!  He entrusted the Kingdom to them! 

I am encouraged because He doesn't expect us to be perfect!  He doesn't expect us to walk out our life in perfect belief!  He doesn't expect us to never falter in our relationship with Him. 

Instead of rejecting us in our weakness, He loves us!  He calls us His friends!  He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to guide us, empower us and teach us!  

Thank You Lord, for choosing us, and loving us, regardless of our limitations!  You truly are not like us, and for that I am eternally grateful! Help us in our weakness and lack of understanding to advance Your Kingdom! 

Amen and Amen!

Love Like He Loves

I am again reflecting on Paul's statements from his letter to the Philippians 3:12-16 TPT:

[12] "I admit that I haven't yet acquired the absolute fullness that I'm pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. [13] I don't depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. [14] I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. [15] So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. [16] And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion."

This morning I felt like there was a directive to not rest on what I have done in the past, but to continue to press into relationship with the Lord.  Relationships are not tasks, and things done in the past, while good memories, are not enough to maintain growth in a relationship.  This morning as I thought about Paul's statements I found myself reflecting on the many things I have done, but that is the whole point of Paul's message, that is in the past, and the Lord is in the present, and has plans for the future and that is where we need to continue to focus.  

The stuff of the ministry I am about may change, but my relationship today, and my path forward in pursuing to know Him more daily must never change or falter.  It is easy to get distracted by so many things, but the highest is found in Him.  A few verses earlier Paul wrote that he wants to know Christ, and that is His sole focus, not ministry, but knowledge of Him.

I am reminded of the new command Jesus gave at the last supper, that 'we should love one another as He loved us!' (see John 13:34).  The interesting bit is that His qualifier in love is that we should love others as He loves us!  If we don't press into relationship with Him, how are we to love others in the same way?  We would only have a limited experience and knowledge of what His love is like!  I think that maybe we see around us the effect of many not really knowing the love of Christ, knowing His intimate love, and thus not able to love others in that way!

Oh Lord, help me to know You, to know Your love, that I might better represent You in my love of others!

Amen!

Loving the One

Lately I have been reflecting on loving the individual.  I felt like the Lord said I needed to re-evaluate my perspective about what is important in the Body of Christ.  In the same way that relationships are super important in the Kingdom, I felt like He wanted me to understand that what makes relationships important is the other person, and that the relationship can't be more important than the person. So, if relationships are super important, than the people we are relating to, are even more important in the Kingdom.

Many of us, as Christians, have probably heard the saying, "Jesus loves you so much, that if you were the only person alive He still would have died on the cross for you!"  We say that to try and capture some idea of the Lord's love and our value to Him, but do we really believe that saying?  By that I mean, do we love and value others, and ourselves as much?  Do we act like we actually believe in our importance to the Lord (in a good and not selfish way)?  Do we act like the others we interact with are highly valued and loved by the Lord?  Would we be willing to spend our life loving and caring for just one other person?  When we imagine our calling in life, our purpose in the Lord, could we imagine the whole of our life focused on loving, caring and valuing just one other person?  

Those are thoughts I have never had before recently, as I have always been of the belief that somehow my call was to bigger efforts, a larger number of people, in part by my interpretation of the scriptures the Lord has given me as promises and life verses.  With that focus, and not seeing that option available in my life, I sometimes wonder if I have somehow missed out, or somehow have not fulfilled His call and purpose for me.  I find I am often looking forward rather than at where I am right now.  While I love to love and care for my wife and our kids, and grandkids, I find I am still thinking about some unrealized ministry idea.  I guess at the heart of the matter I think a larger ministry calling is more valuable in the Kingdom.  As I have been reflecting on this, I have realized that my perspective does need adjusting.

I am reminded of several of the parables that Jesus told, e.g. the pearl or the buried treasure (Matt 13:44-45), leaving the 99 to find the one (Matt 18:12-13), the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)! In each of these stories, there is an communication about the value of the individual, from a Kingdom perspective. 

Continuing in this vein, I am also reminded of some stories where Jesus clearly went out of His way to meet with one, e.g. the lady at the well (John 4:1-36), the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15), and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) to name a few.  Jesus was apparently very capable of focusing on the one, and knew the value of each person!  In spite of the crush of crowds, the thousands that followed Him, Jesus had time for the one as each of these stories indicates.  His encounters radically changed peoples lives, as He spoke the words of healing and people saw healing physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. 

This morning  felt led to read from the letter of James, and found some very similar themed verses.  Here are the verses I am reflecting on - James 2:1-5,8-10,12-18 NIV:

[1] "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 

[5] Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 

[8] If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. [10] For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 

[12] Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [13] because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. [14] What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [15] Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

[18] But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

Breaking these verses down thematically, James is addressing how people are being treated, and he relates this to our faith/belief in action. I have often reflected on these verses from more of a faith/belief perspective, taking these ideas and applying them to more theological ideas, but this morning I am just considering them in the relational, loving another individual perspective.  If I really believe that the Lord loves and highly values each other person, I should never show favoritism, for by doing so I am treating some as being less valuable.  I am judging their worth...man that is ugly!  

Secondly, my actions are directly linked to my beliefs/faith.  How I treat others shows what I really believe!  Going back to my earlier comments, do we really believe that we are all highly valued by the Lord?  If we do, then our actions should reflect that belief, and should be visible.  Going back to Jesus, His actions spoke clearly about the importance of the individual.  In His short three years of ministry, He often stopped and addressed an individual, and loved them.  In the context of the value of His life, and the amount of time He had, the idea that He would stop and spend an hour or two for a single individual is absolutely incredible!  We know that Jesus only did what the Father told Him to do, and was a perfect representation of the Father, so His actions should communicate to us our value to the Father!  We are worth His time, His attention, His action!`

As fellow followers of Christ, we should have this same attitude in our dealings with one another.  We should express love and mercy and favor to all!  We should demonstrate the value of each individual by our attention, our care, and our time.  We are commanded to love one another as Christ loved us and that requires action, attention, conversation, and a willingness to put them first. This morning I am convinced of how far from this ideal I live, and of my need to change.

Lord, help me to think more like You!  Help me to value others like You value them!  Help me to embrace the life of love for my honey, family, and friends!  Help me to stay focused on the people that You love!  Help me to stop looking ahead, and start looking around and begin putting my belief into action!

Master of Times and Seasons

Yesterday I spent the morning reading through Daniel 9:20-27 and looking at different commentaries discussing the seventy sevens and how that all played out.  What is amazing is how the prophecy by Gabriel, given 500+ years ahead of time, was accurate, and foretelling.  The prophetic timeline laid out actually didn't start until 80 or so years after Daniel received the prophecy, so not only was the prophecy correct, but the starting event was more than 3 generations later.  (For more on this please see: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/daniel-9/)  My reflections of late have often been seeing some of this long-term perspective the Lord has and how His plans unfold over centuries and millennium.  As humans we think we are so smart and yet our prediction about just about anything are always flawed, and yet the Lord's plans are timely and perfect. 

I think for me this new year is more about trusting the Lord's plan, trusting His Word.  Last year was a year of change, a year of the beginning fulfilment of a promise the Lord had spoken 7 years earlier, and yet I have no idea what the year 2023 will hold for me and my family.  I know the Lord sees it all clearly and has been at work in the background, sometimes for centuries and millenniums, bringing certain individuals, certain situations to fruition, at just the right time, in the just the right place.  Oh Lord, it would be grand to get a preview so that I can be better prepared, but at the same time, I need to trust that You will have shepherded me perfectly, and I will be ready at the right time, and I will be at the right place, with the right skills and perspective.   Help me to look to You, rather than to my own understanding.

I was just reminded of a couple of verses as I wrote that last sentence - Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

These verses sound so simple, and yet, when I try to do so, I so often run into my own perspective, my own opinion, my own plans or understanding of how I think the Lord is working, or going to work, or wanting to work in my life!  I am trying my best, but severely handicapped in my limited perspective.  What I mean is that I barely know why I do what I do, and certainly don't really know the deep thoughts or experiences of those around me, or what they are thinking or what they are planning or what they will do!  My perspective on the overall world is at best super-microscopic. 

In addition, in the world today we are seeing the active rewriting of history, the covering over of experiences, the changing of data to meet certain agendas and viewpoints that are being foisted upon us.  What I love about the Lord is He is not affected by any of this fallacy and twisting of facts and viewpoints.  His perspective is 100% accurate and true.  He sees from outside of time and sees everything.  We would be wise to look to Him!

I am reminded of another couple of verses - Proverbs 19:21 NIV:  "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

- and - 

Matthew 11:25-30 NIV:

[25] "At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. [26] Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 

[27] “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 

[28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I have often turned to these verses, especially the last three in times of confusion, struggle or stress.  I need to remind myself that the Lord has all things under His control, and my leaning into Him allows me to rest, and unburden myself.  

I pray for greater revelation of the Father, greater peace and rest, and the willingness to allow the Lord to speak His plans into our lives!  He is the Master of times and seasons, and all things.

May the Lord bless Your 2023!