A Different Type of Suffering

Lately I have been reflecting on bringing Glory to the Lord in my every day job and life.  Sometimes I feel like what I do doesn’t really matter in the Kingdom, but that is the result of a task mind-set rather than a Kingdom mind-set.  I ran across some interesting verses that are somewhat related to this idea, and led me down a reflection path I had not expected.  Here are the verses for today - 1 Peter 4:1-4,7-11 NIV:

[1] “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 

[7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 

[8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

[11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

The word that caught my eye is in verse 1, and it is used twice, once to describe Jesus’ passion and death, and secondly to describe our suffering in following Christ.  It is interesting that our suffering has more to do with the things we no longer do, at least that is what I think Peter is meaning in the following verses, than actual physical suffering like Christ Jesus.  

One could say that our suffering is related to our FOMO (fear of missing out), and denying ourselves and our appetites for such sinful and human desires.  This suffering is primarily internal, and while it might have some outward component (as described in verse 7) it is primarily an internal struggle and “suffering”. 

When I think about this in comparison to what Jesus suffered it is as nothing, and yet Peter, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, connects these two.  Could we say that Holy Spirit is essentially identifying a type of suffering that Jesus went through in His earthly life that we seldom consider?  Imagine living your life in such perfect awareness of what the Heavenly Father wanted you to do, yet also having the opportunity every day all day long to choose differently and yet never once choosing wrongly! It is one thing to be programmed to never do wrong, but for Jesus to enter fully into humanness, He needed to experience exactly what we experience. 

The Author Hebrews, stated it this way - Hebrews 4:14-16 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. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Clearly Jesus endured temptation just like we encounter, yet He chose the right path every time.  He didn’t have some divine power to resist, that would have made Him not fully man (human).  He embraced this human life, took on everything we encounter and was victorious, a pure and spotless sacrifice.

Using my imagination I thought I would try to put this in more human perspective.  Jesus grew up in a family, had brothers and sisters, friends as well, and He couldn’t just go along with the crowd in any circumstance. He never once sinned towards one of His brothers or sisters.  He never once was disobedient to His parents!  He never once spoke an angry word, but He had every opportunity to do so.  He knew what He had to do, and did it correctly every time.  

When His brothers were doing something slightly wrong, He couldn’t “join the fun”.  Even when He wanted to talk back to His mom when she interrupted His personal time to ask Him to take out the trash, or whatever menial task, He didn’t utter a wrong word. He never cheated in a game, never cheated in school, never took something that wasn’t His, but He had the opportunity to do so, and was tempted to!  He didn’t have a terrible twos, or rebellious teen years.  He was always slightly different, slightly better and we know how those kids are treated, almost universally.

Now let me expand this imagination into His teens and twenties.  Jesus dealt with adolescence, raging hormones, emotions, and attractions.  He had family and friends, saw people marrying having kids, embracing life together, and yet He knew He must take a different path, and remain perfectly obedient to His heavenly Father. 

On top of all this, he knew who He was, what He was called to do, understood the Father’s heart for the people, and yet was restrained by the Father for 30 years.  He didn’t do any miracles, no healing, nothing out of the ordinary, except not sin.  He couldn’t say why He was different, couldn’t let it slip that He was the Messiah in their midst!  He probably couldn’t and wouldn’t defend Himself or His actions, He just did what the Father told Him to do.

I have thought much on related subjects but one thing is clear, Jesus' life was not easy.  He had to suffer all of the above, all of His life, never once taking a day off!  Never once just doing what He wanted to do!  I am sure He endured much, for human nature is mostly unchanged. 

The point of this all is that He showed us it could be done, and invites us to embrace a similar suffering in our following of Him.  Peter writes this invitation, calls us to live our lives for God.  Encourages us to love one another, to offer hospitality, to use what we have been given to bless those in our lives, those around us! He encourages us in all things to give glory to God, even in our suffering.  Finally the author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is absolutely approachable, for He endured the same temptations, the same suffering, and has compassion on us!  He knows He is the only sinless one!  He will extend mercy and grace!

Amen and Amen!

When God Intercedes For Us!

This morning I opened my Bible to where I left off reading in Romans 8, and rather than focusing on the verses I am most familiar with in that Chapter, my eyes were drawn to a few earlier verses, which are also quite well known, and often quoted.  Here are the verses I will be reflecting on today - Romans 8:26-28 NIV:

[26] “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” 

[28] “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

As often happens, it was the last verse that first caught my attention and then I read a bit before for context. In this case, verses 26 and 27 are important to understanding verse 28, for they speak of the unseen reality that is the foundation for verse 28, at least that is how I read it.

In verse 26 Paul is writing about our common situation, not really knowing what God’s will is for us, not knowing His full plans, His purpose, even at times His next steps.  We are unaware, but if we turn to Him for help, He does so, and He does so in Heavenly ways.  

I believe that Paul is writing about speaking in tongues in verse 26, but it could include other prayer expressions where no words are spoken, only the cries of our hearts and mind.  Regardless of how we define it, the point that the Holy Spirit helps us when we don’t know what to pray is the important point.  He knows what we should be praying and so He helps us.  Whether that is new words or new language, the point is that the Holy Spirit is helping us pray, even praying for us.

In my life, when I am stuck, or don’t have clarity I will seek the Lord!  I will pray, and wait, and pray and wait, oftentimes using my prayer language, other times just silently crying for help!  I believe that the Lord hears my prayers and responds, and that often times that response is being conducted in Heavenly places, which is what I think Paul is describing in verse 26 & 27.  

We don’t know what to pray but the Holy Spirit helps us, He knows the perfect will and intercedes (Prays for us) for us in accordance with that will.  He looks to the Father and the Son, and reads over us the next page of His perfect purpose and plan for us, and they all agree!  

At least that is how I see it playing out in my mind… 

That is a very reassuring image to me, for I know that God loves me, has paid the price to redeem me, has justified me, has given me His righteousness, and now He is praying for me His very will for me!  He is all in, for me!  He is for me!  He is in agreement that His will, purpose and plan are perfect, and when I don’t know what to pray, He takes over for me and helps me to pray.  

Now, to be clear, He doesn’t just do this for me, He does this for everyone who turns to Him, who is in relationship with Him, as Paul writes, all who love Him.

As Paul writes, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him!”  He is working for our good, working to make His plan and purpose perfect, even to the point of praying and interceding for  us!  He is not some passive God just watching and waiting, He is actively encouraging, helping, even praying for us!

Lord, I thank You for this encouragement this morning, for clearly I am in a place where I need guidance, direction and help from Heaven!  I thank You for interceding for me, for praying Your very will into my life!  

Thank You Lord! 

Seed, Soil and Seasons

This morning I was reminded of a theme that has come up 3 times in the last week or so, the parable of the seed and sower (See Matt 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8 for the different versions of the parable).  I have been reflecting on my life and the present season, and had been comparing my present life to years previous, and seeing a bit less fruit in my life these days.  

As I woke up the following thought went through my head,  “You need to have grace for different seasons in your life. There are seasons of planting, seasons of harvesting and not all seed produces fruit at the same time, or in the same way. You will not always bear the same type and amount of fruit, so give yourself grace.”

Those types of thoughts, while they are thoughts in my head, seem to originate outside of me.  In my many years of following the Lord, I believe He often speaks exactly this way, placing thoughts in my mind, especially at times that I am not distracted.  He doesn’t just do this in the early morning, but will speak to me this way throughout the day as I turn my attention to Him and listen.  

I believe the Lord wants a relationship with me, and for us to have a relationship we must be able to communicate.  Most of the time the Lord speaks to me through His scriptures, but quite often it will be through a still quiet voice speaking thoughts into my mind.

Enough of that - back to the theme of seeds, soil and fruitfulness.  I have reflected and written many times of these themes, and it is always good to revisit my previous writings.  This morning, the overall theme seemed related to seasons of less fruit, and helping me to be ok with that in my life. 

Any farmer or gardener will tell you that every seed takes time to grow into a plant, and takes time to produce its fruit.  Some produce fruit quickly, some take a whole season.  Some, like fruit trees, take multiple years to reach full fruitfulness. There is always a period of time between planting and harvesting, and that time is a season of growth, without fruit, or maybe immature fruit, like the tiny green grapes on the grape vine in my back yard.  I can see them, but they are not harvestable.

Sometimes we can look at our life, and compare our life to others, and see them bearing fruit, and think we are somehow not doing our part, or that we should be bearing more fruit. We can try to force ourselves to bear more fruit, we can work, and serve and read and everything else, and end up feeling frustrated and even discouraged.  We can try to harvest fruit before it is ripe and that usually results in sour fruit, or minimal nourishment.

In my own life, I have been working more hours than almost ever in my life, and my time and energy seem less than other seasons.  I have been reflecting on earlier periods where I was engaged in many things, and thinking I need to do more (which is always possible) and wondering about whether I am doing enough in the arena of my faith and my representation of the Lord.  I am so busy most days, I am able to pray in the morning, but then the rest of the day is work related, sometimes 12-14 hours.  

This morning the message seems to be, “that’s ok, I know the season you are in and I don’t expect you to be bearing much fruit!  You are doing what I asked You to do, in a job that I provided, and with a passion and effort that I would expect.”  

I need to give myself grace, not compare myself to others, not keep score in my head of my fruitfulness!  I need to trust the Lord, His process and His plans!  I need to give myself grace to do the best I can and know that He sees and understands!

One thing I know, the Lord is not a task-master.  He is relational, not task oriented.  He doesn’t keep score, He doesn’t compare us to others.  He treats each of us uniquely and individually!  He is perfect in His perspective of our life, better than us for sure!  

This morning, I am encouraged that the Lord sees us and understands us perfectly.  He knows His plans (we might have a faint glimmer of an idea of His plans) and He knows what type of seeds He is planting our lives and how long those seeds take to mature and bear fruit. He invites us to be good soil, to welcome what He is doing, and provide the life environment needed to produce good fruit, and that means regular water, sun, fertilizer, etc.  For me that means regular times of prayer, reflection, reading other Christian authors, talking with Christian friends, and regular repentance (recognizing where I need to change the way I think and act to be more like Him).

In the same way that He sees me, He sees everyone!  His message is always grace!  Grace is the gift of life from Him!  It is also coupled with compassion!  He knows us, knows our struggles, our thoughts, our weaknesses, and abilities and His perspective gives Him a perfect view of our life and His expectations are always perfectly in line with His perspective.  

We need to ask the Lord for this same perspective for our lives, as well as for other's lives. He doesn’t compare, neither should we.  He doesn’t have favorites (we are all His favorite).  He doesn’t expect us to produce the same abundance of fruit every day of our life, He understands seasons, planting, growing, soil and harvesting.

I reshared something earlier this week that  I wrote 10 years ago.  The basic theme was that  God doesn’t have a negative thought about us!  Oh that we would see and believe that!

In closing a few verses from Paul that are worth reflecting on - with the encouragement of this morning - Romans 8:28-29,31-34 NIV:

[28] “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” 

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Amen and Amen!

More & More

This morning I felt led to read from Paul’s first letter to the 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10,12-13 NIV:

[9] “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? [10] Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.” 

[12] “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. [13] May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Continuing into Chapter 4 -1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 NIV:

[1] “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. [2] For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”

[3] “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; [4] that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, [5] not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; [6] and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. [7] For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. [8] Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.’ 

[9] “Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. [10] And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, [11] and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, [12] so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

Lately in our teachings at Church, we are learning, as we read Scripture, to look at parallels found in the language and words, as they are meant to draw our attention to sections and often have some relationship, one to the other.  This morning I have highlighted the phrase more and more.  

The Greek word used here is “mallon” and it is added to verbs and adjectives, it denotes increase, a greater quantity, a larger measure, a higher degree, more, more fully.  In the two sentences above the encouragement is to live to please God, and love one another more and more!

I am reminded of Jesus’ response when asked the about the greatest commandments, found in Mark 12:29-31 NIV:

[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [31] The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Paul certainly is in line with the words of Jesus here. Sometimes we try to make our faith into the complex patterns of life, or demands, and Jesus just cuts through all that to simplify the core, as does Paul.  Love God, love people!  

We could take the approach of the Jewish Pharisees and ask hundreds of questions about what those words of Jesus actually mean, and define every last iteration and turn it into a massive list of what to do and what not to do.  For many of us that is the faith we have been taught, a long list of rules. 

The focus of these two commands is relationship, not rules. Paul encourages us to do both more and more!  Not focus on rules, but rather pour our efforts into relationship!  The only way to know what pleases God is to know Him! The only way to love our brothers and sisters more is to actually know them!  Such a simple path, without all the complicated requirements!  

If I am really loving someone, I am always trying to bless them, serve them, engage them, make them happy, do little things that mean much, meet them where they are, remove any conditions, and communicate!  I do all of these things from a place of relationship, not duty.  I could look at the things I do in my marriage as a duty, and I would probably learn to hate them, or I could look at them as expressions of my love for my wife, which causes me to love her more!  

Isn’t that interesting?  Operating in love, tends to lead us to loving more!  

Mallon!

The reason it leads to more, is that this love is then reciprocated by the one we love, at least that is the case in healthy relationships.  My expressions of love towards my wife, will often elicit expressions of love form her to me, not out of sense of duty, but out of love and gratitude, and desire for deeper relationship.  It is true of my relationship with my honey, and it is true of my relationship with the Lord!

This is supposed to be the path we are on in our Christian walk, loving God more and more, loving one another more and more! 

It is pretty simple, and my encouragement this morning is to make sure that this is my heart! 

Lord help me to love and please you, and recognize Your love for me!  Help me to love my brothers and sisters the way that You love me!  More and More!

Amen!

Five Loaves, Two Fish

This morning I am reading from Luke 9:1-6,10-17 NIV:

[1] When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. [4] Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. [5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” [6] So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. 

[10] When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, [11] but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. 

[12] Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 

[13] He replied, “You give them something to eat.” 

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” [14] (About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” [15] The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. [16] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. [17] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”

There is much to think about in these verses, the 6 mile walk from Capernaum to Bethsaida, the crowd of 5000 finding out and following him, the healings and teaching on the Kingdom, the feeding of 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, not even enough food for the apostles and Jesus, the significance of the bread and fish, the correlation between that and the command Jesus had given them to set out with nothing and spread the Gospel of the Kingdom…etc.

This morning I have been focused on the significance of the 5 loaves and 2 fish. Rarely are things as simple as thy read, especially in scripture.  The Lord uses many signs, that often have deeper meaning. There are several ideas around the symbolism, and such and some of it seems to resonate with me today.  That this as basic sustenance is clear.  The loaves, likely cheap barley loaves, and 2 dried fish, represent a very small amount of food, barely enough for 1 or two people ( I know I could probably eat 2 and 2 at any single meal). Some scholars believe that the 5 loaves were symbolic of the 5 books of the Torah, and we could point to Jesus’ response in Matthew 4:4 NIV: “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

In my opinion, besides the real food, and multiplication of it, this symbolism seems to fit into the common theme of bread.  Later Jesus took the bread, broke it  and said it was His Body, and He is the very Word of God made flesh (John 1:1-4, 14). He is the literal bread of life! 

I could keep on working that theme of bread from heaven, etc. for He did that day what He did for the Israelites in the desert, although in this case the Manna was barley loaves in baskets.  

As for the fish, there are a few different ideas.  As I read through the different opinions, it seemed to me that these might very well represent, besides real sustenance, the coming age of the Church.  The early Chirsitan’s used the sign of the fish as a way of indicating who they were to other believers, and clearly the fish was significant. The Greek word for "fish," Ichthys (ΙΧΘΥΣ), is made up of the first letters of the words "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" (Ιησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ). 

Continuing on, apparently, Joshua son of Nun, means Joshua son of the fish, and Joshua was the leader of the people when they crossed over into the Promised Land, and that story clearly has some Messianic themes.

All of this is interesting to me, and at the end, the more important thing is the representation of the Father, in this miracle.  He sees our needs, He provides for our needs, and sometimes does so through miraculous ways.  He can take the little we have and provide for the multitudes!  When things seem impossible, He likes to prove our “impossible” wrong.  

In closing, a quote from Mark 10:27 NIV:  “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Amen and Amen!

Spiritual Counter-Punching

The other day I was walking in the park and praying for friends that are struggling, and under attack in several different ways.  As I was praying I felt like the Lord gave me additional insight into my own battles and those common to most.

First I should say that I am of the belief that there is a spiritual realm of which many of us in the western world are only somewhat aware.  I make the distinction about western world, because most of the rest of the world, Asia, Africa, Latam generally believe in the spiritual realm, and it is part of their worldview.

Secondly, Jesus clearly had the perspective that there was a spiritual world, one which He dealt with and discussed quite often. The church holds this belief as well, although I think many in the Western church downplay the significance.

That being said, I do believe that one of the realities of my daily life is learning to deal with the spiritual realm, especially that which is against the Kingdom of God and His purposes. The way I regularly encounter this could be described as spiritual warfare, and most often it is not overt, but rather hidden from obvious view. 

The Lord helped me to see the warfare I encounter is most often a distracting effort, something that is aimed at getting me focused on anything but the Lord and His purposes.  Probably 98% of the time, the effort is to get me to think about myself, my situation or circumstance, and to turn my thoughts inward, towards my self.  I am not talking about healthy self-care, and awareness of my own health, rather I am talking about unhealthy selfish focus, where my needs and wants are more important than anything else going on around me.  Whether I am thinking about how others see me, or how my life hasn’t worked the way I want, how I don't;t have the things I want, or whatever, these suggested thoughts are all about me!  

As long as I am thinking primarily about me, I am not seeing the world with the Lord’s perspective, I am not listening to Him, or looking to Him. Instead I am looking at myself, looking towards my selfish needs and wants.

Paul warns against this type of thinking in his letter to the Philippians 2:3 NIV: 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,”

This selfish focus can come about in several ways, but I have noticed it almost always is the result of thoughts popping into my head, often at times when I am focused on better things, things that are of the Lord or related to His ways and purposes.  I have also seen that these thoughts regularly pop into my head when I am tired, when I am frustrated, feeling depressed, or several other scenarios when I am not thinking, but more reacting.

I say that the thoughts seem to pop into my head, as I do believe that often these thoughts are not from me, but rather the result of the spiritual effort to distract me, and even cause me to sin, or disengage with what the Lord is doing. As I said before, I know if I am focused on myself, I become blind to much of what is happening around me… because my thoughts are turned inward.

So, how do I combat such a distracting attack? Peter provides us some simple advice in his first letter - 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV:

[8] “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

James adds a similar note - James 4:7 NIV: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Resisting is the term, but how do you resist something you can’t see, and is often hidden?  First as Peter write, we need to be alert. Much of this has to do with us learning to identify the tactics and methods of the enemy.  Besides scripture, two books I have read that were very helpful are “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis, and “The War in Your Head”, by Bill Johnson.  Both are excellent in helping to identify the way the enemy tries to distract and influence our thinking. 

In the sport of boxing a very effective technique is called counter-punching.  When the opponent throws a punch, you take advantage and throw a punch at the area that is in that moment unprotected.  Spiritually speaking I think this is one of the ways we can resist!  

In my life, when I notice I am under attack, or suspect that I am (Sometimes it takes me a bit to realize it) I start praying for the salvation of people that I know and love who are presently unsaved.  What I often find is the thoughts and train of thoughts that had been regularly popping into my head suddenly cease.  

This is partly because I am now thinking about God’s Kingdom and not so focused on myself, but I also believe that the counter-punch, if you will, of my prayers outweighs the effect of the distracting attack on me!  The enemy is swinging at my head to distract me and I am landing body blows to his efforts to keep someone in the park and unaware of the Lord’s love for them! 

There is much more to write on this topic, but hopefully this is helpful and encouraging.   I know I am encouraged to continue to be alert and continue to resist the efforts of the enemy to distract me and get me focused on myself.

Lord, thank You for revelation and help!  Give me strength to contine to pursue You and live my life representing You to those I meet.  Help me to effectively resist the works of the enemy, and shine Your light of salvation to all I encounter.

Amen and Amen!

Does God Have a Sense of Humor?

This morning as I opened my Bible to read, I turned back to the section I was last reading, from Luke’s Gospel. I was reminded of a funny experience I had with the Lord in prayer yesterday morning, and as I thought about it I felt the Lord indicate that this is significant. 

In short, the Holy Spirit cracked a joke. 

It actually was quite the funny joke (at least to me), and it took me a bit by surprise. As I was reflecting on that experience yesterday I was reminded of another thought I have had where the Holy Spirit plays a bit of a joke on Jesus (at least that is my interpretation).

So, here is the scripture and the joke, and please remember this is a joke, and not my opinion, nor anything other than a JOKE.  I was reading the following verses - Luke 9:1-6 NIV:

[1] When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.”

And then I thought I heard Holy Spirit add - “and that’s why there weren’t any women apostles, because only men would be ok with a command like that!”

I had to laugh…

I had never had the Lord tell me a joke before… I certainly wasn't thinking about jokes or anything like that at the time…

So the question is why would the Lord tell a joke?

First, I think it is important to know that Holy Spirit, especially, is a person and has a personality.  I have heard Graham Cooke say that Holy Spirit is hilarious, and I so appreciate humor in people, that this encouraged me.  If the Lord created everything, and we are made in His image, then a sense of humor is something that comes from Him and that He intentionally gave to us.

Second, We need to understand that He enjoys us, delights in us, and experiences joy!  Sometimes in our religion we expect God to be all serious, all the time, and we forget that there are multiple times Jesus, as the Father's perfect representation (Heb 1:3) expressed overt joy, so much so that the Gospel writers remembered those occasions years later when they wrote the accounts.  I am reminded of the following verses from Luke 10:21 NIV:

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

Finally, what family doesn’t have one who is the jokester? Usually the second child…

I mean Jesus was the perfectly obedient son, which means Holy Spirit is…  (just kidding).

The point of all this morning is that the Lord invites us to know Him.  He wants us to know Him intimately, and a sense of humor is included in that (in my opinion).  I think our lives in Him should be filled with joy, and laughter, for where His Spirit is, there is freedom, and freedom releases joy!

This morning I am encouraged to press further into relationship with the Lord, because He really must be the funniest person ever!  And the most loving, compassionate, merciful, forgiving, gracious and kind person ever, too!

Lord help me to experience more of Your humor and joy!

Amen!

Picture  above from https://www.chuckgirard.com/religious-jokes.html

Sowing, Reaping and Investing

Recently, I have been reading more of my past reflections at night before going to sleep, and they are just so encouraging to me, to help me rekindle, or stir up that which burned in me previously.  Lord, I pray that You will stir up my passion for You and Your Kingdom!

Verses for today - Galatians 6:7-10 NIV:

[7] “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. [9] Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

This is natural law of sowing and reaping, is applicable to our life in the Spirit.  As Paul writes, one follows the other, and the fruit reaped is related to the seed sown.  As I was reflecting on this,  I was reminded of the parable of the talents or bags of gold. One version is found in Matthew 25:14-18 NIV:

[14] “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. [15] To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. [17] So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. [18] But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.”

The men who received many went and “put the money to work” which is a good way to say they invested the money, or sowed the money into scenarios where they would reap multiplication.  This wasn’t accidental, but took wisdom, knowledge, relationships and plain old work to make it happen.  Later in the story the men who were fruitful, whose diligence and work resulted in fruitfulness at the reaping (the return of the money with interest) were commended and rewarded.

This morning as I was reflecting on these verses, I was reminded of the simple reality that our most precious and valuable thing in our life is our relationship with the Lord!  No one and nothing else has anywhere near the “value” of eternal life, and relationship with God! As in all relationships, they must be worked on, they take investment of time and energy, transparency and humility if you want them to grow deep!  

As in our natural relationships, sowing and reaping apply here too.  If we don’t sow time with the Lord, our relationship will not bear much fruit.  If we don’t sow time in His word into our lives, we will reap little fruit in our relationship with Him, for His Word brings revelation of His character, and grace and mercy towards us.  To echo Paul’s words,’ do not be deceived, a person reaps what they sow’ and if we are not sowing into our relationship with the Lord, investing and working at it, working to know Him more, our lives will bear little fruit.

This morning I am encouraged to look at my life, to evaluate my sowing, my time, my efforts, my pursuits, my interests, to see what I am sowing into regularly.  I am encouraged to make time and effort to grow in my relationship with Him!  I am encouraged that He is always willing to go deeper, to reveal more of Himself, to generously give me more.

Oh Lord help me to sow generously, to invest time, and effort into relationship with You!

Amen!

All-knowing and Unchanging

As I sat down to pray this morning I was reminded of a discussion several of us had last night about God.  We were discussing the following verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 1:3-4 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 our conversation we were thinking through the ramifications of God living outside of time and effectively knowing us from that vantage point.  One of our friends was looking at a commentary that brought up the fact that as our Omniscient God, He never learns anything new, because He is all-knowing. I had never really thought about that before and it definitely caused me to think more about our Omniscient God.

He knows everything.  

There is nothing that He doesn’t know, otherwise He wouldn't be all knowing.

Nothing we do surprises Him or catches Him unaware.

Every day of our life is already written in His book (Ps 139:16)

I was just re-reading the beginning of Psalm 139, and David is reflecting on these same things and somewhat overwhelmed by the thought of a God who is so all-knowing.  Here are the first few verses - Psalm 139:1-6 NIV:

[1] “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 

[2] You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 

[3] You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 

[4] Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. 

[5] You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 

[6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

God not only knows everything we have done, He knows everything we are going to do, He knows every thought, every pondering, every wish and desire!  He knows all our ways!

That is actually a scary thought!

And yet He loves us!  He longs for us!  He desires relationship with us!  

We have a saying “familiarity breeds contempt”and this is the exact opposite.  God’s love for us, and familiarity with us is founded in love and ends in love, for He is unchanging!  

Nothing I could ever do will change His love for me, because His love for me is eternal, outside of time, and He already has seen everything I am going to do, or think of doing, and has still determined that He loves me!  

I could keep on writing, and keep on reflecting upon this mystery and I would surely never get to the end of it, but as David says, “such knowledge is too wonderful for me”.

This morning I am encouraged by God’s all-surpassing knowledge and love!  He loves me!  He will never change His mind about His love for me!  As He says in Malachi 3:6 NIV:  “I the LORD do not change…”

Thank You Lord!  Thank You for Your unchanging ways, Your unending love!

Amen!

He Is In Us!

Yesterday morning while taking my daily walk in the park, with my dog, I was reflecting on a teaching one of our pastors had given the previous night at a worship night. He was speaking about the fact that in John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about how the Holy  Spirit, the Father and Jesus Himself would take up residence in those who believe and follow Jesus. The passages, which I will share below are actually quite mind-blowing, if we take them fully to heart. Here are the three examples of several verses:

John 14:15-17,20,23 NIV

[15] “If you love me, keep my commands. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 

[20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 

[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.

    -And-

John 15:4-5 NIV:

[4] “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. [5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

    -And- 

1 John 3:24 NIV:

[24] “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

In the past I have thought through these verses and they have always been a bit confusing, or maybe just overwhelming, to consider. If we graphed them all out, it is apparent that all three of the Trinity live in us who believe.  To quote a recent obnoxious T-Mobile commercial, “MIND—--BLOWN”!

This is clearly one of those things that we can’t fully grasp, but it is something I think we can experience.  What I was reflecting on while walking our dog, was how in the place of intimate worship we can encounter the Lord, sometimes in significant ways.  I know for me there are times that I am overcome, times where the Lord feels so close, times where I am shaken by His presence around me, on me or in me!  What I realized is that this is me just becoming aware, experientially of a spiritual reality that is true.  It is not that God is choosing to visit me in those moments, but rather that I become aware that He is present in those moments.

If He is in me, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, then much of the time I am unaware, and that makes me sad, for I believe this lack of experiencing His presence has everything to do with me, and the state of my heart and mind.

There have been many people, throughout the ages since Christ’s ascension, who seemed to walk through life embracing this “in-dwelling” reality. John (the author of the verses above) was clearly one.  Many of the saints of old and present, both Catholic and other denominational affiliations, have had such experiences. We tend to think that this experience of God’s indwelling presence is something that He reserves for the truly special individual, at least that is how I have often thought.  However, if we look closely at Jesus’ words, and the words of John, we see no distinction, or categorization of special individuals, rather it appears that this is true for all who believe!

My encouragement this morning is that I might start believing this reality is true, for it certainly is!!  I pray that I might become aware of God’s indwelling in me!  I pray that I might remove anything in my life that blocks my ability to experience this reality!  I pray that I might live my life aware of HIs presence upon me, and in me!

I pray that we all might experience this reality in greater measure!  

Amen and Amen!

The Final Word

Last evening while attending an event for our church, I was worshiping and I believe I heard the Lord say something a bit strange, at least to me.  I felt like He said ‘He was going to change my perspective on 666’.   

Now, I am not one who worries about or concerns themselves much with "end-times" and some of the numerological or superstitious stuff associated with 666.  However, I was certainly interested in what He meant so I pursued the train of thought and asked for some clarity and I felt led to turn to page 666 in my Bible.  When I opened it up, the verses on page 666 were from Jer. 29, which are some of the most famous verses about God’s plan for good.  Here are the verses - Jeremiah 29:11-14a NIV:

[11] “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

There have been many times that the Lord has spoken these words into my heart during times of difficulty or struggle, and especially when it seems that our future is bleak.  As I let these words settle into my heart and mind, I asked for additional clarity as to the meaning of HIs somewhat cryptic opening line.  The following is what I understood. 

There are many people who under great stress, oppression, or pronouncement, or curses.  For many with a more spiritual / religious viewpoint this may seem like the enemy is winning the battle, and they have little to no hope of being rescued or freed.  This could include people who struggle with addiction, grievous family trauma, diagnosis of terminal or incurable illnesses, or even those who live with significant self-hatred or suicidal thoughts.  In all of these situations people can lose all sense of hope, or think there is no escape.  There are also those who greatly fear the enemy and his works, and believe that he has equal power to the Lord.

I felt the Lord’s words, first spoken in Jer. 29, and fulfilled later in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, were to demonstrate that it is the Lord’s word that is the final word!  There is no situation on the earth that His word cannot change!  There is no pronouncement or curse that He cannot break, or prove untrue!  “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18 NIV)

He broke the power of the enemy, of sin and death.  He demonstrated His ability to break every curse, to set free those possessed by the enemy, the oppressed, those sick with incurable diseases, the maimed, those who were disabled or missing body parts, even raising one dead 4 days back to life!  He is doing the same thing today, He is at work all around the world and His word is the only TRUE WORD about every situation and circumstance! 

(If you want get a good scholarly overview of what He is doing in the world today, check out  “Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, Volume 1 & 2” by Craig Keener)

The point is that God has demonstrated, and is continuing to demonstrate that He is God, the one and only God, over every power and god. I am reminded of the following great verses from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:9-11 NIV:

[9] “Therefore God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

We don’t need to fear the power of the enemy, the pronouncements of doctors, the situations we find ourselves in, the woundings of past trauma, for God can redeem us from all of these!   Let us believe in His healing, redeeming grace, love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and goodness!  

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV:

[17] “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Lord, I pray that You would move, that You would make a way, that You demonstrate Your power, that You do what only You can do in our lives!  That Your name would be glorified and exalted over all the earth!  

Amen and Amen!

An Excellent Exchange

This morning I am continuing to read from Luke, chapter 14, from where I left off yesterday.  This morning the verses are a bit challenging to my Midwestern, American mindset of independence and self-reliance.  Here are the verses - Luke 14:25-27,33 NIV:

[25] “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: [26] “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. [27] And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” 

[33] “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

All I can say is that Jesus had a strange way of inviting people to be His disciples. Maybe that is a bit of a stretch here, for the context was that many were following Him, and it seems to me that Jesus is establishing a level of commitment required. 

Now these words can seem very harsh and uninviting, but when I read them I am reminded of some statements Paul made in his letter to the Philippians 3:7-14 NIV:

[7] “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” 

[12] “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

When we read verses like those in Luke 14, we tend to focus on what we are giving up, and in Paul’s mind, all of that is just garbage compared to knowing Christ Jesus.  This is one of those forest and trees deals where we can be so focused on what we “have” to give up, that we never see the immensity of what we receive, of what we step into!  Paul had it all, and in his view his past accolades and accomplishments were trash when he compared them to Christ Jesus.

There have been several game shows where contestants are given the choice between what they have in their hands, usually a gift of some value, or cash, and some unknown gift of unknown value.  The enemy would try to convince us that this is similar, except the life of following Christ Jesus is anything but better or full of life.  He wants us to focus on our little lives, like they are of significant value, or full of personal enjoyment,  and paints a picture of following Jesus as being one of constant self sacrifice and struggle, where there Is no enjoyment, no life, no fun, etc.

Again, going back to Paul, he knew the truth, and was boldly proclaiming that everything else is trash compared to knowing Jesus!  

There is an invitation to let go of our past, our lives, as we step into relationship with Jesus.  Most of us struggle with that, but the more we know Him, the more we recognize the truth of Paul’s statement. Knowing Jesus is worth more than anything we have, anything we have accomplished, anything else we can ever experience.

The exchange He offers us is our limited terrestrial existence to be replaced with eternal life. There is freedom, love, mercy, forgiveness, encouragement, strength, healing, joy, and intimacy in following Christ!  

Let us recognize that in giving up everything, we receive so much more!

Let us choose to follow the one that is better than anything and everything else, and in whose comparison, everything else is trash. That is a an excellent exchange!

Amen!

Being Interruptible

This morning I felt led to read from Luke, chapter 14. I always enjoy my time in the Gospels for I get to know Jesus better through the accounts of His life and ministry.  This morning is no exception.  Here are the verses I am reflecting on - Luke 14:16-24 NIV:

[16] “Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. [17] At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 

[18] “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 

[19] “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 

[20] “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 

[21] “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 

[22] “ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 

[23] “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. [24] I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”

On first reading, and in the context of the chapter, its clear Jesus is referring to the Jews as the ones who were first invited.  It is a sad reality that many of the Jews of His day, and many today still today miss the fact that the Messiah came and offered redemption for all, forgiving our sins, breaking the power of the enemy, establishing a New Covenant and making a way for us to be fully restored to the relationship with the Father.

As I reflected more on these verses, I saw a theme that was more relatable for me, namely the warning of being too busy for the Lord!  Each of the invited guests had seemingly legitimate excuses, but the Lord was not impressed.  In my life I am often so tasks orientated that I don’t take time for the opportunity to represent the Lord right in front of me!  

For example, about a month ago, I was driving a few hours back to an airport during one of my recent business trips and stopped at a McDonalds for a quick bite for dinner.  As I was standing waiting for my order a young man came up and started talking to me.  He was most likely a homeless person, wearing a dirty shirt, weathered face, but very conversational.  We covered a wide range of topics quickly, just chit-chatting, and I noticed his shirt was actually a Christian shirt, with something about Jesus written on the front (Sorry I don’t remember exactly what it said).  Finally someone came to the counter and the young man asked if he could have a glass of water,  and upon receiving it went back to his seat and back to what He appeared to be reading.  I got my order and headed to the car and started back on the road.  I was thinking about my brief engagement with the young man, feeling good about my openness to talk to a homeless person and I felt the Lord say, “You could have bought him dinner and taken a little more time with him!” 

I love how the Lord gently corrects me, for it is with the most gentle thought, and full of love, but pointing to a truth I needed to hear.  

I do believe that I had a brief thought about doing that very thing (buying him a meal), but had quickly put it aside as it would be inconveniencing me, and would interrupt my plan for getting back to the airport in time.  

When the Lord said that, I was so saddened that I had missed a beautiful opportunity to bless someone because I was too focused on my own task!

I see in this morning's reflection, the opportunity for me to work on changing my approach and attitude, as well as my mind-set.  I am so often only thinking about myself and my task, that I am sure that I regularly miss opportunities to represent Jesus, all because I am too focused on busy on my own tasks. Being interruptible appears to be one of the requirements of followers of Jesus!  

The second thing I need to do is get over my fear of man!  I often times don’t say anything because I don’t want to interrupt people, or get into their personal space or situation.  At least that is what I tell myself.  In truth, I don’t want to have the other person get offended with me!  I don’t like rejection and I would prefer to not engage than be rejected, so I just walk on by.

Oh Lord, help me to change the way I think, and act!  Help me to see as You see, looking at those around me as ones You love!  Help me to put aside my task to bless and help others.  Help me to better represent You, for it seems to me that You always had time for the person You met!

Oh Lord help us all to embrace the opportunity to represent You to all we meet!  Let us be interruptible!

Amen and Amen

See and Do!

In my pursuit of the Lord, and trying to do His will, one of the things I struggle to do is really see what the Lord is doing.  Today, as I continued my reading of John’s Gospel, I read the following verse - John 5:19 NIV: 

[19] “Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”  

This verse perfectly captures the great challenge, and the path forward. Seeing what the Lord is doing, so that we can join ourselves to that effort.  Jesus, in His complete humanity, had no ability to do anything miraculous Himself, in His own power, (if I read that verse correctly) and was only doing what He saw the Father doing, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  That is such an important distinction that Jesus makes, for it means that we can potentially do similar things.  He was proclaiming the limitations of our humanity, but showing the path forward.  He described what is possible in John 14:10-12 NIV:

[10] “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

I have always been so intrigued by verse 12!  The possibility that we ‘will do the works He has been doing’ is astounding to me, yet according to Jesus and the record of the early church, this should be our expectation and experience. If we really sit with these two sets of verses, reflecting on what they mean for us, as followers of Jesus, I think we will find our perspective change.  A couple of good questions come to mind:

In our living out our faith, are we trying to do everything on a list, or are we trying to follow a person?

Do we really believe Jesus was fully human AND fully God?  (This one is hard as it surely a mystery)

Do we believe Jesus’ words, that we can “do the works (he) I have been doing”? 

Do we look to Jesus to see what He is doing??  Do we look to the Father to see what He is doing? 

Do we live our lives in a state of regular connection with the Lord?  

Do we spend time in His Word and in prayer so that we can learn what He is like, what He does, has done and is likely to do again?

Do we spend any time in the day asking Him to show us what He is doing?

As I have reflected on these verses previously, I have been aware that sometimes the Lord is not interested in working miracles, but more interested in me!  I don’t mean that in a prideful way, but rather as a student or disciple who is being taught and trained.  Jesus often stepped away from the active ministry to teach and train His disciples (See Matt 13:36). He also regularly spent time in prayer (See Luke 6:12), and we would be well advised to do the same. 

I like to think that Jesus’ first 30 years of life were spent learning to hear and see the Father, as a human.  In fact, we find an interesting set of verses in the Letter to the Hebrews 5:7-9 NIV:

[7] “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. [8] Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered [9] and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”

I would think that some of the meaning of verse 7 relates to Jesus’ passion and prayers in the garden, prior to His crucification, but not all. I am sure His life was one of constant prayer and reflection, looking to the Father.  His pattern of life was passed to His followers, for we find this description of the early church - Acts 1:14 NIV: “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

I am encouraged this morning to press into knowing You more, knowing Your word, understanding Your character, and learning to hear and see what You are doing!  I do want to see what You are doing, so that I can join myself to the effort!  I believe that You will show me what You are doing, for You have invited us all into Your promise. We are all invited to believe in You and do the works You have been doing! 

Oh Lord, help us!  Oh Lord, open our eyes and ears!  Oh Lord, help us to press into knowing You!

Oh Lord, we want to glorify Your name!

Amen and Amen! 

Theological Chiropractic Adjustment

As I opened my Bible to where I was reading yesterday, the following verses grabbed my attention this morning - John 14:6-7 NIV:

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The first sentence of verse 7 is my real focus this morning, at least to start.  This is such a critical thing for us to understand.  Jesus, in His ministry and life represented the Father to us.  He showed us what the Father is like, spoke the words the Father gave him, did what the Father showed Him to do (see John 5:19–20 & John 14:24).  The author off the Letter to the Hebrews calls Jesus the “exact representation of His being” (see Heb 1:3 NIV).  One of my favorite authors, Bill Johnson, calls Jesus perfect theology.  

As I understand it, this means that everything Jesus said and did is what the Father was saying and doing!  If we want to know what the Father is like, our first source should always be Jesus!  He is the only one who could perfectly represent Him!  

The whole Old Testament, is the history of the revelation of hte character of God, through the eyes and understanding of the people who ex[experienced these encounters.  God in His mercy, allowed for more and more of His character to be revealed over time, for what man was ever capable fo fully understanding His Holiness and Glory? It is so important that when we read Old Testament accounts of God, that we read them through the lense of Jesus’ representation of the Father.  In other words, if Jesus never said or did something, then the Father wasn’t saying or doing that either!  And if Jesus extended mercy, love and compassion, then that is what the Father was doing!

I know that there are people who stumble over the portrayal of God in the Old Testament, and these words of Jesus are meant to be our corrective adjustment.  Much of Jesus' ministry was providing that same corrective adjustment to the Jewish idea of the Father, and their expectations of the Messiah.  We are not the first to misunderstand God!  I guess we could say Jesus is providing a theological chiropractic adjustment. :-)

My strong encouragement this morning is for me to spend as much time in the Gospels as I can, so that I might know Jesus, and thus know the Father!  I am also encouraged to spend as much time in prayer, in communication with the Lord so that I might know Him more, and better represent Him to those around me! 

Oh Lord, help me to know You!  Help me to represent You!  Help me to point to You, the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Amen and Amen!

When the Wind Blows

Yesterday, while walking my dog, I had some inspiration,that I thought I would share, and reflect on this morning.  I do find that the Lord likes speaking to me when I am out in nature.  I do try to hear him at other times too, but when I am in nature his voice seems louder, if that makes sense. 

Anyway, yesterday it had taken a turn towards cooler weather, and there was a decent cold breeze out of the NW.  When we walk, we almost always take the same route, and have been doing so for the last six years.  The park where we walk around has a lovely walking path, but winds out of the NW are particularly painful, as about ⅓ of the path is very exposed to the NW, so any cold wind from that direction blasts you. Typically we walk in a counterclockwise direction, like everyone else.

Yesterday, when I got to the park, I thought, why don’t I walk the other direction, so the NW wind would be at my back instead of my face!  Duh!  Only took me 6 years to have such a thought!  It was wonderful, instead of getting blasted in the face, The NW wind pushed me along as I walked clockwise! 

As I started in this new direction, I felt the Lord whisper to me, “this is what following the flow of the Holy Spirit is like”.  I immediately had further understanding and a few verses drop into my mind.  

The understanding I had is that many of us, myself included, don’t like change, and when change comes we can sometimes resist the change.  We prefer things the way they were, and there is comfort in sameness.  If we hear ourselves saying “the way we have always done it.” we might be resisting change!  I find this is particularly true, at times, in the Body of Christ.  We do struggle to welcome change, we like the songs we know, like to sit in the same places, even like to talk to the same people.  

There is nothing inherently wrong with finding comfort in the way we do things, however, I think the Lord is wanting us to move in some new directions, and we need to learn to move with the Spirit. I was reminded of two verses in particular - as follows:

John 3:8 NIV: “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Acts 2:2 NIV: “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

The tie between the Holy Spirit and the wind is helpful.  We can’t really see the exact moving of  the wind, and in the same way, we can’t exactly know what the Spirit is doing, moving and touching.  If we observe closely we can see the effects. With the wind, we can observe the impact and even at times hear it moving things like branches, or blowing through things that make noise.

In the same way, if we are looking at the larger church, or Body of Christ, we can begin to observe the effects of the moving of the Holy Spirit. We can hear from people what they are feeling and sensing and hearing, and often they are all related. For example, one of the things that many people I know are hearing from the Lord is the need to press into “Fear of the Lord”.

I would love to hear the sounds of heavenly winds, like they did in Acts 2, but my hope is that I can pick up the quieter breezes and see what the Lord is doing.  I was reminded of another set of semi-related verses found near the end of John’s Gospel.

John 20:21-22 NIV

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” [22] And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The Greek word translated “breathed” can also be translated ‘blow upon’, or even ‘puffed’, and it is more than just breathing, and actual gentle blowing.  I believe this verse is directly tied to the Acts 2:2 experience where they heard the sounds of a mighty rushing wind. It is important to note that the preceding verse (John 20:21) Jesus indicated He was sending them!  As in giving them a new direction! 

Wrapping this back to the image of walking my dog, when we move with the “Spirit” rather than battle against Him, we find our lives are aligned with His direction.  There is always purpose to His moving, and we don’t want to miss that purpose, because we don't want change!  Jesus said, “So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” In other words, this is normal for anyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit.  

I think maybe we need to rethink our approach to and “ownership” over our churches and church experiences. Somehow we have embraced the idea that we are meeting on Sunday to have our needs met, rather than to worship God, and hear what He is telling us! 

He is actually the head over the Church, not us!  He calls us and invites us to do His will, to further His ministry!   “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you!”  

Oh Lord, help us!

Amen and Amen!